Tributes have flowed in following the sudden death of popular former rugby league player Paul Robinson.

Maryport-born Mr Robinson, 48, was a former Ellenborough Rangers star, who turned professional with Carlisle Border Raiders.

The mobile prop forward, who died on Tuesday, also had a stint with Flimby and was revered throughout the game.

Ellenborough president Kevan Gorge said it had been a shock to everyone who knew Mr Robinson and that he would be a ‘huge miss’.

“What everyone will remember him for is his big beaming smile,” said Mr Gorge.

“He never said a wrong word about anybody and he was such a modest character.

“He came from a very good family, his parents Syd and Lilian used to run the Bounty Inn at Netherton and before that they had the Crown Inn at Ellenborough.

“Along with Paul’s uncle Barry Hodgson, they have always been fantastic supporters of Ellenborough.

“They helped us up until both Syd and Lilian died in the past two years.

“Paul was devastated by this but the legacy of what they did for us will never be forgotten at Ellenborough.”

Mr Robinson was part of the Ellenborough U19 side in the 1980s that went virtually unbeaten and reached the National Cup final.

He went on to play for Carlisle Border Raiders in the same era as Colin Coles, Kevin Pape, Ian Scott, Paul and Gary Murdock, Gary Charlton, Brad Hepi, Hitro Okesene, Garry Schubert and Steve Brierley.

“Back in the day the U19s were fantastic, virtually unbeaten apart from that final,” explained Mr Gorge.

“As a consequence his abilities as a prop forward were recognised and he signed for Carlisle Border Raiders.

“He was a great ball carrying prop forward who could offload as well and could tackle well.

“But what I really remember is his modesty and his attitude to life. But as chairman of Workington Town at the time I could never get used to him playing against us!”

Mr Gorge said everyone involved with the club and in the town spoke highly of him.

He added: “It has been such a shock and a lot of people have lost a real, true, down to earth and modest friend.

“Such is the enormity of him as a person. He was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met in my life. He was revered by everyone in the community.

“I can’t explain how upset the lads have been, people loved him.

“And the Robinson family was one of the most respected families in the town.”

One friend, Paul McGee, recalled a memorable trip to Australia, back in 2008, to see the RL World Cup and said Mr Robinson would be sorely missed.

Mr McGee, who runs Henry’s Bar and Grill, in Workington, said: “I have known him for nearly 30 years but there are many of the lads who have known him for longer.

“He had a lot of friends and this news is just unbelievable, it is on everyone’s minds.

“It has been a massive shock, people still can’t believe it, we were all only out at the Blues Festival recently, when everyone got together.

“Our trip to Australia was memorable for all of us. Everybody loved Paul to bits, he never had a bad word to say about anybody and was always smiling and cracking a joke.

“It just won’t be the same without him.”

Mr Robinson leaves behind a partner Elaine and children Ben and Kasey.