A cricket veteran has died at an event held in his honour to celebrate more than 50 years of service to the sport.

Alf Foley, aged 90, was attending the event yesterday hosted by Netherton Cricket Club, which he joined in the early 50s after serving in the RAF.

At the celebration tributes were paid by members including many younger players and Mr Foley gave a 10-minute speech to thank everyone. He collapsed and died as he sat down to thunderous applause.

Dave Powell, who knew Mr Foley in his role as chairman of the North Worcestershire under 16 league, said today: “Everyone who was there – family, friends and colleagues – were all deeply shocked but all I can say is that Alf died a happy man, being with the people he loved, at the club he loved and where he wanted to be. 

“It was almost as if he had planned it.

“Alf was unique, one of nature’s gentlemen, the kind of guy you meet once in a lifetime.”

The widower was recently diagnosed with cancer which he had been told had spread to his liver.

Netherton Cricket Club has been trying all season to organise a match in his honour and to commemorate his 90th birthday in August.

Club secretary Dennis Lewis said Mr Foley, a slow left arm bowler, was passionate about the sport and his proudest moment was setting up the first youth team in the club’s history.

He added: “The tributes were emotional and what we witnessed was a man coming home to rest.

“The idea was for us to thank Alf for his work but in typical fashion he thanked all of us.”

Mr Foley captained many matches winning the batting averages in 1957. He also served as president during the 80s and was involved in the building of a new club house in 1966, Netherton Cricket Club’s centenary year.

A retired plumber, Mr Foley lived in Shirley Road, Kates Hill, until earlier this year when he moved to Peterborough to live with his son David due to ill health.

A funeral service will be held in Netherton and details will be announced.

Mr Lewis, aged 60, said the club had been keen to organise an event to mark Mr Foley’s decades of service.

Mr Powell said: “There was doubt that Mr Foley would be fit to travel but make it he did.”