TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who, 50 years after his greatest sporting achievement still gets talked about as a rugby legend.

Herbert Henderson, 77, died on Saturday after a long illness.

Seaton Rangers won the Cumberland Cup in 1971/72, when he was both coach and captain of the team.

Club member Peter Gilmour said he was" undoubtedly one of the finest players to ever represent the club.

"When we talk about the current generation standing on the shoulders of giants there’s no finer example of someone who carved his name into club folk lore."

Trevor Whitehead described Herbert as "a class player and friend RIP Herbert."

Miguel Blanco-Carter described his as " Legend of the maroon and gold.

Herbert Henderson lived in Distington where there was no football club. He and a friend used to take the bus to Broughton Moor to play rugby- and enjoy or endure cleaning up in the tin bath afterwards.

He played for Seaton Rangers, leading them to cup victory and also spent time as a professional with Workington Town before returning to Seaton.

Son Carl said:"He took us to every match and when I can remember being carried on his shoulders.

"I played rugby professionally with Border Raiders and he never missed a game. He was so encouraging."

His sporting legacy did not stop with Herbert.

Granddaughter Chloe plays football for Workington reds Ladies and grandson Luke is a coach with his grandfather's old club, Seaton.

The family used to holiday in Gatehouse-of-Fleet on a regular basis.In the end he and Ann, his wife of nearly 57 years, bought a log cabin there moved permanently about 20 years ago.

In recent times he has been in a care home suffering from dementia.

Carl said: "Dad was a manly man - as men were in those days. He was a great Dad and the tribute from his family is simple- we were proud of him."

Herbert is survived by Ann, sons Mark and Carl grandchildren Luke, Dean, Chloe and Ellie and great grandson Charlie.

A service for Herbert will be held at the Distington Crematorium on Monday.

He family will meet the hearse, coming from Scotland, at the lay-by near the crematorium.

Numbers are restricted because of Covi but people could pay their respects along the road. The funeral starts at 2pm.