HUNDREDS of mourners packed into Holy Trinity Church, Cookham, to pay their last respects and tributes to a popular sporting father this afternoon.

Family and friends told of the sporting prowess of former London Irish Rugby Club player Andy Millar, of High Road, as well as his modesty and humour.

The Father-of-three died suddenly following a game of indoor football aged 53 on Wednesday October 21 in Southampton, where he worked for NATS, the air traffic control company.

Andy, a Cookham resident for 20 years, was heavily involved in sport in Marlow and Cookham.

Born and raised in Ballymena in Ireland, he became a member of the London Irish first team squad when he arrived in England in 1982.

He played for Cookham Dean Cricket Club, where he also coached youngsters, and was a committee member for many years.

He turned out for for veterans rugby side Marlow Stragglers in recent years.

Speaking at the funeral his son Rory, 19, said: “He was a great person, a great man but most of all he was a great dad.

“I'm determined to become a person dad would have been proud of not just as a sportsman but also his popularity as shown by the huge number of people here today.”

He recalled some of the sporting moments they had shared, such as putting together a 100 run partnership at a cricket match in 2006.

Speaking about his father's sporting attributes, he said: “No matter what the score was, he never thought his team was beaten until the very end.”

Andy would always send a text message to his son following any match he had played in to see how he had done.

Rory said his father's death would not sink in fully until he next went to send a message.

Andy is also survived by son Ben, 21, daughter, Clara, 16 – as well as his widow Helen.

Television sports presenter and Cookham resident Jim Rosenthal said his friend Andy, who was known for his “bucket hands” as both a cricketer and rugby player, had left a “fantastic legacy” at Cookham Dean Cricket Club.

He helped to train hundreds of colts players through the years, with a thriving under 11 section.

“What Andrew did was look after those players, they all respected him and looked up to him.

“He taught them to win, but most importantly he taught them to win with dignity and lose with a bit of respect as well.

“He nurtured and protected everyone of those players and I know they have been particularly affected by his death.”

Jim added his friend, who he knew through the cricket club, had “no ego, was totally self effacing and was never one to brag about his own achievements.”

He said: “I think everyone here today feels we have lost a great man.”

Friend Ian Stevens said: “He was someone who through his personality made people feel good and someone you'd always look forward to catching up with.

“Off the field he was surgically attached to a pint of Guinness and had a smile as wide as any I had seen. We will all remember him.”