Tributes to ex-England water polo captain Noel Winter

Tributes were paid to-day to a former England water polo star from the Midlands who has died at the age of 75.

Noel Winter, formerly of Wednesbury, has been described as a "determined and wise" man.

Father-of-three Mr Winter, who grew up in Market Place, had played water polo for Wednesbury, Walsall, Warley and captained the England team.

He initially trained as a draughtsman before taking over the running of Wednesbury Swimming Baths - combining his twin loves of engineering and swimming.

At Walsall, he later became captain and while he was there, the town made its first ever ASA Club Water Polo Championship Final going down 6-5 to Otter before winning their first title in 1967 when they beat Birkenhead 9-7.

He was selected for Great Britain for the first time in 1967 and his success saw him go on to coach the British senior team and the under 20s.

Councillor Ian Jones, who has played water polo for the town since the age of 11, said: "He obviously gave a lot of time to the sport and to the people of Wednesbury with his involvement in the baths. It was very sad to hear of him passing away. My condolescences go to his family."

Mr Winter's funeral was held in Nottingham on Tuesday.

He became facilities officer for the Amateur Swimming Association between 1999 and 2010.

He backed the campaign to keep Willenhall Leisure Centre open in 2009, leaves behind partner Jackie and three children Sarah, Andrew and Simon. David Sparkes, of the British Swimming Assication, added: "He was a quiet and determined man and he was so wise. He will be missed very much."