TRIBUTES have been paid to a fourth-generation policeman who "turned down" the chance to join West Bromwich Albion to play for "the love of the game", and served as his local golf club’s secretary, captain and president after retiring.

Father-of-two Neville Ovens rose to the rank of chief constable with Lincolnshire Police after launching his career in the old Herefordshire force, and also served in the West Mercia, Cheshire and Staffordshire forces.

After retiring and returning to Herefordshire 28 years ago, the father-of-two joined Ross-on-Wye Golf Club where he served as secretary, led the planning for the club’s centenary in 2003, was captain in 2004 and 2012, and became president in 2014.

In 2015 and 2016, Mr Ovens was still going strong on the golf course, winning the Peter Carton-Kelly Cup for the club’s No 1 ’Veteran golfer’ aged 75 and over.

With a family involvement in policing dating back to 1870, Mr Ovens, who was born in 1938 in Kington, was perhaps always destined to join the police, and the tradition has continued to a fifth generation with his daughter.

After attending Lady Hawkins Grammar School, he then did his National Service in the RAF, meeting his wife Jean at Innsworth in Gloucester,

He then joined the old Herefordshire Constabulary, where he rose to the rank of sergeant at Hereford.

A keen sportsman all his life, son Paul said of his father: "A recently rediscovered news article from the former Hereford Evening News outlined his remarkable sporting ability in cricket and in particular football.

"In a quote, Neville indicated that he turned down the chance to play for West Bromwich Albion, as happy to play for the ’love of the game’. He continued to play for various police teams and the county side."

When Herefordshire Police merged with Shropshire and Worcestershire to form West Mercia Police in 1967, Mr Ovens was heavily involved, transferring to the new HQ at Worcester to represent his home county’s police.

He had to leave the area in 1980 to achieve a higher post, which was the rule at the time, and ultimately achieved the top rank of chief constable.

His police service was recognised with the Queens Police Medal and the Order of St John before his retirement and returning to live Herefordshire in the local area.

Mr Ovens died last month at St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.