[2][3] He was an "outstanding all-round sportsman"[4] at school and left at 14 to join Charlton, working in the club's offices until he was able to sign as a professional after his 17th birthday.
He was called into the Kent First XI in 1954 and made two first-class appearances for the side but was released at the end of the season.
[2] Lucas also rejoined Charlton after being demobilised and enjoyed a "rather more successful" career as a footballer, making 185 appearances for the team between 1956 and 1964, scoring 29 goals.
Charlton had been 1–5 down with 27 minutes remaining and with Derek Ufton, also a Kent cricketer, unable to play on after an injury.
[5] Lucas moved to Crystal Palace in 1964 and joined concrete company Readymix Corporation Group as a sales executive on his retirement in 1969.