Volley good! Richard Sneekes is a mini Subbuteo marvel

But Black Country icon Richard Sneekes can now play the game as himself if he wants – after a figure was created in his honour.

The Dutch midfielder became a cult hero with Baggies supporters after joining the club from Bolton in 1996.

And now he has joined an illustrious group of players who have been immortalised in plastic by Albion fan Paul Ridler.

Ridler is the great grandson of Baggies and England legend Billy Bassett.

The club super-fan first started making the retro figures in 2016 – with Bassett his first design.

Since then he has recreated a host of football heroes including Albion great Cyrille Regis and promotion-winning boss Ossie Ardiles.

And now Sneekes has been added to that list after a friend of the former Rushall Olympic boss made a special request.

Ridler created two figures in honour of the former Ajax trainee. The first captures the Dutchman as he looks to score a volley.

While the second was taken from an image of Sneekes with Albion mascot Baggie Bird captured during a derby against Blues. “I was more than happy to create the figures of Richard Sneekes,” Ridler said.

“A friend of his got in touch and asked if I would.

“And I was delighted because for me is one of the classiest players I have ever seen at The Hawthorns.

“He always stood out and I loved watching him with Bob Taylor and Andy Hunt and I’ve spoken to him on football phone-ins and he’s always been lovely.

“He was given the figures after the defeat to Derby and I’m told he absolutely loved them. Hopefully they cheered him up after that display.”