Farewell to sporting legend Roger Mann

The sporting world in Devon and beyond has been saddened by the death of the legendary Roger Mann.

Roger, who died in Rowcroft Hospice after a short illness aged 80, was truly 'Mr Sport' in Torbay, but his wonderful stories spread joyfully across Devon.

A champion of all amateur clubs, and sportsmen and women of all ages and abilities, Roger’s love for sport went back to the days when he was playing local cricket and football himself.

A cricketing all-rounder in the Devon Premier League with Paignton, Roger brought overseas players to village teams in Devon, coaching them and hosting them at his home with wife Jenny. He also formed Torbay Gentlemen FC, a club with the only stipulation of players being over the age of 30.

He was a prolific sporting historian, particularly in cricket, and wrote regular columns for newspapers. Legendary South African cricketers Jacques Rudolph and Fanie de Villiers both made contact with Roger and his family in his final days.

Roger collected cricket memorabilia and his photographic collection was used in a best-selling book written by John Major, as well as a BBC TV series and exhibitions at Lords. Roger was married for 44 years, had six children and eight grandchildren.

Read the full tribute to the wonderful Roger Mann in our sister paper, The Torbay Weekly.