Tributes have poured in for Derek Primett following news of his death.

His club, Stanton St John Willows, led the way.

In a statement, chairman Rob Esnouf said: "Only a few current players had the privilege of playing with him and remember him as a passionate, but fair cricketer - people cleared the dressing room when he'd been on the end of a bad decision - who enjoyed the social side as much as the playing.

"His only cricketing regret was never scoring a century.

"As the ever-present umpire, club chairman and chairman of the Cherwell League, for most Willows players 'Prim' was, simply, the greatest character in cricket in Oxfordshire.

"His ready wit and keen cricket insights were delivered in his own inimitable style and summers at Stanton will not be the same without him."

Oxfordshire Cricket Board secretary Peter O'Neill said: "He was a fantastic servant for cricket in Oxfordshire.

"Many youngsters have played through the youth system went on to play first-class cricket, which is a tribute to him.

"He was a jovial character and whenever you met him he loved being around cricket and cricketers. He will be sorely missed around many of the bars in Oxfordshire."

OCB chairman Chris Clements was unavailable to comment, but in this year's handbook, he wrote: "Derek Primett is a statesman of Oxfordshire cricket and he should feel very proud of what he has achieved, we are certainly very proud of him."

Rupert Evans, Oxfordshire's cricket development manager, played his first senior games for Willows under Primett's captaincy.

And he said it was his influence, together with that of the late Paul Collins, which led him to being an off-spin bowler - an art which has brought him thousands of wickets - rather than a seamer.

Evans added: "I just consider myself to be really fortunate to have known Derek.

"I owe him a great deal because I got the chance to play senior cricket.

"He was an absolutely smashing bloke. I have known Derek since I was 14 and I cannot ever remember a game when he lost his temper.

"He was very sociable after the game whether he won or lost."

Cherwell League secretary Peter Tomlin said: "I only worked with him in the last few years.

"We had a very good and close relationship and he was great to work with as far as the league was concerned. The league have a lot to be thankful for having him as chairman. It would not be the strong force it is today but for him."

League treasurer Jim Lodge knew Primett for more than 50 years, having first played cricket with him at Willows.

"He was a great character and he did a tremendous amount of work in the league," he said. "It was his lifeblood. I am going to miss him."

Cherwell League executive member Don Brooks was another long-time colleague of Primett's, having played against him for Tiddington.

"He was an icon in the cricket world," he said. "He was very competitive on the field. He certainly didn't like losing, but he was probably one of the best after-match people to be with.

"He was just a great character. He was full of fun and liked a drink and his horse racing."