STOURBRIDGE snooker players turned out in force for the funeral of long serving Roy Tromans who died after suffering a major heart attack while playing in a league match late last month.

Former team mates from Stourbridge Institute formed a guard of honour with their cues for Roy, who never recovered and died in early November.

Roy, who was 80, was in the middle of playing a frame for Stourbridge Institute D team at Kingswinford Snooker Centre when he collapsed.

Stourbridge and District Snooker League spokesman, Tony Kidd, said: “There was somebody at the club who tried to give Roy CPR until the paramedics arrived, but he never recovered.

“He was leading the frame 18-8 at the time and everyone agreed to let the score stand. Although it's of little consolation, but Roy died while playing the game that he loved.

“Roy captained a formidable Stourbridge Institute B team to win the First Division championship just over two years ago.

“He also won the Geoff Williams Memorial Shield for the Handicap Pairs event together with the late Harold Williams back in 2004.

“Roy was a popular figure on the local snooker scene will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Born in Colley Gate, Roy moved to Eveson Road in Stourbridge as a youngster and then became an air frame mechanic during his National Service with the RAF when he was stationed at Little Rissington.

He spent four years with the RAF, where he was a member of their tug of war team.

On leaving the RAF, Roy went into insurance, working first for London and Manchester and then Colonial Mutual before going onto work for himself.

He suffered a heart attack in 1995 and underwent a quadruple by-pass the following year.

His wife Mitt said: "Roy loved snooker and playing the game helped pull him through following his by-pass. He was also a keen carp fisherman and enjoyed shooting as well.

“Roy also helped to train Norton football team in Stourbridge during the 1960's and also enjoyed following rugby, but snooker always remained his great love.

“It was a wonderful gesture by all his team mates who turned up to the funeral to form a guard of honour. I've had so many lovely comments about it.”

Roy, who later moved to Vicarage Road, Wollaston, leaves a wife Mitt and daughter Nina.