TRIBUTES have been paid to a legendary Ramsbottom cricketer who died at age 86 after a fall.

Players and students alike have remembered Peter Philpott, an Australian test cricketer who played at Ramsbottom Cricket Club and died last week.

Originally from New South Wales in Australia, he represented his home state in the Sheffield Shield from 1955 to 1968 and played for Ramsbottom CC team in the Lancashire League between 1955 and 1960.

During his time at Ramsbottom, he worked as a geography and physical education teacher at Peel Brow School, where he passed on his love of the sport to young student, Maurice Haslam, who also served as a member of the club.

Maurice said: "He was my hero, he introduced me to my favourite sport and it has stayed with me my whole life.

"I was a young lad and he had an Aussie accent, which you don't get much of around here, so he was remarkably cool and he had a certain aura about him that made other people enthusiastic about cricket.

"And it wasn't just me - there lots of other young lads he taught cricket to and passed on a real love of the sport.

"I was devastated to hear of his passing, because he was such a wonderful bloke."

After playing for Ramsbottom, he went on to serve as a coach for many teams, such as Yorkshire, Surrey, Mosman and Sri Lanka, as well as New South Wales and South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Henry Hill, a former player who played alongside Peter in 1960 said: "He was a great cricketer, but more than anything he was just such a smashing bloke and a really nice chap.

"I've seen some great players in my time, and while he may not have been the all-time greatest, he was tremendously personable and a solid player.

"Even after he left, he always made time to come back and catch up with us back at the club over a beer or two.

"I was really sorry to hear of his passing and I think we'll all miss him. He meant a great deal to a lot of people."