Tributes have been paid to a former rugby player whose battle with motor neurone disease inspired all those who knew him.

Ex-Workington Town player and Ellenborough Rangers player and coach Kevin Gartland sadly died on Monday night.

Friends and fellow players have spoken about his heroic battle with the debilitating disease and the dry humour and twinkle in his eye that remained to the end.

Mr Gartland, of Maryport, who also had a spell coaching Flimby, was credited with turning the fortunes of Ellenborough Rangers around.

And a spokesman for the club admitted he would be sadly missed.

“We chose the Gartland family and MND as our charity – the Kebsi-13. Even during lockdown we still raised £10,000 – that is the regard he was held in.

“He was a well-respected figure in our club.

“It was considered quite a coup when he came here from Workington Town and he turned this ship around. The club hadn’t been doing well. Under him we performed on the local and national scale, reaching the National Cup finals.

“Right to the end of his life, he was good company – an good all-round fellow. He will be much missed by many.”

Workington Town, in a Facebook post, also added a tribute, with Mr Gartland also having coached their Academy team as well as playing for the club.

It said: “Loved and respected by all who knew him, he will be sadly missed but leaves a lifetime of love and memories.”