TRIBUTES have poured in for legendary rugby league player Sol Roper, who died suddenly last week.

The former Whitehaven, Hensingham and Distington half-back passed away at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary, aged 79.

Roper, who was born in Pica, and lived in Moresby, made 82 appearances in the famous white, blue and yellow of Whitehaven, scoring 11 tries and kicking nine goals during his five-year spell at the Recre during the 1960s.

But his most famous spell came at Workington Town where he played 399 times, scoring 94 tries between 1954 and 1966.

During that spell he became the youngest captain to lead his team at Wembley as Town lost the 1958 Challenge Cup to Wigan Warriors.

Three years earlier, Roper was the youngest man on the pitch, but again was on the losing side, as Barrow lifted the cup.

Haven chairman Tommy Todd said: "Sol had a glorious career, and was often cited as the best un-capped scrum-half in rugby league.

"His partnership with Harry Archer at Workington was legendary.

"Sol has the distinction of being the only coach in Whitehaven's history to take us to the top of the league.

"He took over just after we nearly went out of business and turned the club's fortunes around.

"As a rugby league player, official, coach and a gentleman, Sol will be missed by all that knew him."