TRIBUTES have paid to cricketing legend Brian Close by members of the Aireborough community where he was born and brought up.

Numerous people have left messages on the Aireborough Historical Society website which featured a picture of the young sportsman when he played for Yeadon Cricket Club Youth Team in around 1950.

Mr Close was born in Rawdon in 1931. He attended Rawdon Littlemoor School where he was taught by Miss Grace Verity, sister of Yorkshire and England cricketer Hedley Verity. He then went on Aireborough Grammar School.

Historical society archivist Carlo Harrison said the comments showed how well thought of Mr Close was in Aireborough.

John Burland was one of those leaving comments. He said: "Used to see Brian regularly in Morrisons at Guiseley and would have a chat with him about cricket. A member of a great team in the 60's with Ray Illingworth, Fred Trueman, Vic Wilson, Jimmy Binks, Brian Stott, John Hampshire, Riuchard Hutton, Doug Padgett, Geoff Boycott, Jimmy Balderstone, Phil Sharpe, Mel Ryan and Ken Platt."

Val Ryan said: "Great cricketer not afraid to speak his mind like a true Yorkshire man. He was born in Rawdon in the cottages opposite the top of Carr Lane (still there) lived with Mother Esther Barrett who was a friend of my gran Clara Louisa Braithwaite who had Grange Farm behind the cottages and now the school car park. RIP Brian another great Yorkshireman who will go down in history and be fondly remembered."

Keith Harrison wrote: "R.I.P, very sad news, a great player and a very nice person to talk to."

Other contributors describe him as "a very welcoming chap and nice fellow", "the greatest captain England ever had" and a "true Yorkshire and England legend."

Colleen Carlisle sums up the views of many when she says: "R.I.P. Brian, our thoughts and prayers are with your family, at this sad time."