TRIBUTES have been paid to East Lancashire-born hockey legend Val Robinson, who, with more than 150 international caps under her belt, has died at the age of 80.

She plyed her trade for Accrington, Great Harwood and Blackburn Northern and her career extended well into her fifties.

Val amassed a then-world record number of caps, playing 149 times for England and 21 times for Great Britain in an international career that stretched 21 years from 1963 to 1984. She scored 38 times for England, with a further eight goals for Great Britain.

Carolyn Taylor, president of Blackburn Northern Hockey Club, said: "We are very sad to have been informed of the death of Val Robinson OBE.

"Her achievements could hardly be bettered by any other local sports person. 

"Val captained Blackburn Northern and had 149 caps for England and Great Britain. Her international career lasted 20-years, with her first cap coming in 1963, an incredible feat for anyone at the top level of their sport.     

"The highlight of her career would have to be winning the Hockey World Championship in 1975. She was also a winner of the brilliant TV Superstarts programme, winning in 1979 and 1980.

"Following school at Accrington High, now Moorhead Academy, Val trained as a PE Teacher, and later opened her own Residential Hockey Centre at Foxhill Bank House in Hyndburn.

"In 1985, Val was awarded an OBE for contribution to sport.  

"She played for Blackburn Northern well into the late 90`s, and was instrumental in starting the EH Grant Bid for the all weather pitch for the club to play hockey on as their home pitch, on land at the rear of Pleckgate Academy. 

"She has been an inspiration to all hockey players in East Lancashire, raised the profile and definitely put hockey in Blackburn on the map.   

"We are pleased to say that several members of our club played alongside her, and what a wonderful, kind person she was. 

"With the club now running six senior league teams and four junior teams, we are sure she would be proud of the legacy she left."