TRIBUTES have poured in for footballing legend Roger Hunt after his death at the age of 83.

Warrington’s member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, Hunt, learnt his senior football trade in the town.

Hunt, who grew up in Culcheth, played for Stockton Heath, now Warrington Town before he was signed by Liverpool.

> Read what Warrington Town have had to say in tribute to Roger Hunt here

And as his career progressed, he went on to become their record goalscorer with 286 goals, before being overtaken by Ian Rush.

> The story of Roger Hunt's rise to Liverpool and England greatness

Hunt was a member of the England team which won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, playing in all England's six games, scoring three times.

The footballing world has paid their tributes to the icon.

“It’s really sad news and our thoughts and our love go to his family,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told the club’s website.

“Unfortunately, it feels too frequent in this moment we are saying farewell to these giants of our club.

“Roger Hunt comes second to no-one in his importance in the history of Liverpool FC, that much is clear.

“To be the goalscoring catalyst of the Shankly team to actually achieve promotion and then go on to win those precious league titles and the FA Cup puts him in a bracket of LFC legends who are responsible for making us the club we are today. Not only that, he was also a World Cup winner in 1966, too.

“I am told the Kop christened him 'Sir Roger' for all his achievements. A goalscorer who never stopped working to help his teammates; I believe he would have fit in well within our current team.

“So, it is Sir Roger we will remember, honour and pay tribute to over the coming days.

 

Roger Hunt in action

Roger Hunt in action

 

“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

On Twitter, Jamie Carragher wrote: “RIP Sir Roger Hunt one of the greatest goalscorers our club has ever seen. Sir Roger along with the other legends from the ‘60s made Liverpool FC the club it is today.”

Anfield hero Robbie Fowler tweeted: Rest in peace, Sir Roger Hunt.”

Another former Liverpool man, Jan Molby, tweeted: “Take care of Sir Roger for us Saint. RIP Roger Hunt. Legend. YNWA.”

Ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge was very sad to hear of his passing as he posted: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear of the passing away of one, if not the best Liverpool strikers Sir Roger Hunt. What a striker and a true gentleman. I had the great pleasure of being with him on many occasions. RIP My number one legend and hero. YNWA.”

Everton FC tweeted: Our thoughts are with Roger Hunt's loved ones and everyone at @LFC at this sad time. RIP.”

Former Toffees striker Gary Lineker said in a tweet: "Saddened to hear that yet another of the heroes of 66 has left us.

"Roger Hunt was a truly great striker for both Liverpool and his country.

"He may be gone but his achievements will always be remembered."

Warrington Borough Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said in a statement: "Roger will go down in history as a footballing legend, but he also made a significant impact that transcended sport, through his community and charity work.

"It was a pleasure to witness Roger being made an honorary freeman of our borough in 2016, and I will always remember how positively and how passionately he spoke of Warrington.

"He will unquestionably be seen as one of our all-time sporting heroes who was an outstanding ambassador for our borough, and there is no doubt that he leaves an incredible legacy in Warrington and beyond.

"My thoughts are with Roger’s friends and family at this sad time."

Meanwhile Paul Johnson, of Liverpool Hope University’s department of education, recalled a meeting with Hunt which ‘showed the calibre of the man’.

He said: “Roger's son David and I were at a cub scouts' camp in the summer of 1967.

“On the last day, parents came to see the passing out parade and to take their children home.

“Roger came to collect David and was almost immediately swamped by not only young, starstruck cubs but also by their mums and dads – all of whom wanted an autograph.

“He signed every single one, and there must have been a hundred, without a hint of impatience or irritation.

“A truly remarkable, and extraordinarily modest man.

“I doubt we'll ever see his like again.

“Rest in peace Sir Roger and thanks for all the memories.”