HE was a talented sportsman at everything from football and bowling to dominoes.

But Mick Harper, who died last week, was also a very modest man.

Friends and colleagues told of a man who achieved so much in sport but never wanted to talk about it.

Mr Harper, of Newsome Road South, Newsome, was 64 when he died after a long illness.

He was brought up in Walpole and Lockwood, attending Dryclough School and Mount Pleasant School.

He left school at 15 to start work as an electrician for the former Huddersfield Borough Council. He stayed with the authority until his retirement, becoming an electrical foreman with Kirklees Council.

But it was as a sportsman he was best known.

He was a talented full-back with Lockwood CYC OB in the Huddersfield District League and also an accomplished cricketer with Lockwood CYC in the Association League.

He played basketball for a time and also snooker, darts and dominoes.

But it was perhaps his exploits on the bowling greens of Huddersfield for which he will be best remembered.

He helped form a bowling section at Lockwood Conservative Club and was bowling secretary for more than 20 years.

He played for the club all his career and helped them to many titles, as well as winning several individual awards.

His name was the first one to be included on a new honours board at the club.

Mr Harper leaves a widow Susan, children Rachel and Anthony and grandchildren Ellie and Lewis.

A funeral service took place yesterday at St Barnabas Church in Crosland Moor.