TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular former cricketer.

Roy Costello died peacefully on March 30, aged 65, and he was respected and admired by opponents and revered and beloved by his team mates at Little Lever CC.

Club Committee member Jon Pendlebury said: “He was just a really nice guy and would help any of his team-mates both in table tennis and cricket. He was a quality person.”

He scored more than 10 centuries for Little Lever 2nds and in 1996 became the first player in the Bolton League’s history to score 1000 runs in a season in 2nd team cricket. Roy was also a top class table tennis player for Little Lever CC for around 50 years.

Jon added: “Anybody spending time with Roy rarely left him without a spring in their step, a smile on their face. He will be sorely missed by his family and a wide network of friends throughout the local community.”