THE DEVASTATED parents of a Selby sportsman today paid tribute to their son after his sudden death.

Tommy Burton, 40, who played for Selby Rugby Union Club's first team, died on Friday, in Hull Royal Infirmary, following a stroke.

His parents, Walter and Trudy, said cards and tributes to Tommy had been flooding in for their "quiet but caring" son, who lived for his sport.

Tommy, a supervisor at BOCM, was a dedicated sportsman, playing for Burn Cricket Club, as well as being a second row forward at Selby RUFC.

Mr Burton, 77, said Tommy would regularly swap his shifts to fit in practice and matches.

He said: "He was very passionate about rugby, it was the main thing in his life, he lived for rugby. It would be rugby in the winter and cricket in the summer."

As a student of Selby Abbey CE Primary School, Tommy showed early talent and enthusiasm for both rugby and football. He later attended secondary school on the site that is now Selby College, on Abbots Road.

As he grew older, he favoured rugby.

Mr Burton said he was unaware just how much Tommy loved sport as he was growing up.

He said: "Funnily enough he didn't tell us much about it. We knew he played, but one day we went through and found out he was in the first team."

Tommy also loved gardening and fishing, often taking fishing holidays in Ireland. He bought his own house seven years ago, which his father said was his "pride and joy". He spent a lot of time in the garden and decorated the house throughout.

Although Tommy lived on his own, he would often visit his family.

Mr Burton said: "He was a brilliant son. We couldn't have been closer."

Mrs Burton, 76, added: "If you could have seen all his mates, everybody was saying what a brilliant lad he was. Nobody had a bad word to say about him, they're all shocked to the roots.

"He was a six foot three inch, 17 stone lad. He was pure muscle. We just did not expect this."

Tommy was also close to his brother, Paul, 46, sister-in-law Nora, nephew Wayne, 27, and niece Sarah, 22.

His funeral will be held at 2pm on Friday, at Selby Abbey. Donations will be shared between Hull Royal Infirmary Neurological Ward and Selby Abbey.

Meanwhile, tributes were paid to Mr Burton by his rugby team mates.

Sam Longthorp, a player at Selby RUFC, said: " A part of Selby Rugby Club has moved on, but the memory of Tommy Burton will last for quite some time.

"He will be missed by many, both on and off the pitch. God rest, from Selby Rugby Club."

Updated: 12:19 Tuesday, July 29, 2003