THE home of Somerset County Cricket Club is to stage a funeral on Thursday for the first time in its 143-year history.

Hundreds of mourners are expected to say their farewells to Mike Coggan in the County Room at the Cooper Associates Ground at 11am.

The coffin will be carried by current and former players Andy Caddick, Rob Turner, Keith Parsons, Marcus Trescothick, James Hildreth and Peter Trego.

Mr Coggan and his wife, Mary Elworthy, were familiar faces at the ground for years and on the club's Taunton area committee.

The couple married in May 2015 after more than 20 years together.

Mr Coggan died suddenly but peacefully at their home, Howzat, in Fitzhead, on Sunday, January 14.

He was born in Combe Florey, where he attended the village school before going to Kingsmead School, Wiveliscombe.

He spent many years working for Taunton-based Hickley Valtone, then Dunkirk Memorial House, Bishops Lydeard, and then as a gardener until his retirement.

He was well-known in local sporting circles, having played cricket for Lydeard St Lawrence and rugby for Wiveliscombe.

Mr Coggan also leaves a son from a previous marriage and a grandson.

Andy Caddick, who has acted as chef at annual fundraising barbecues at Howzat, said: "Mike was a gentle giant with a heart of gold and a forthright attitude.

"He was a loveable person, very approachable and always happy to chat.

"He was part of the family at Somerset and was like a grandfather to my children."

Andy Nash, club chairman until this week, said: "Mike was as passionate and loyal a member and supporter as any club could wish for.

"His knowledge of the game was immense and when asked he was never short of a keen observation on the state of the game.

"The annual barbecue at the family home Howzat in Fitzhead has become an eagerly anticipated club fixture and apart from raising substantial funds plays an important role in bringing players and fans together socially.

"He was a Somerset man through and through and will be very greatly missed."

Family friend Deb Stodgell said: "He was a unique man who made the world a brighter place just by knowing him but leaving us all with a legacy of his love and wonderful memories of his kindness always accompanied by that wicked sense of fun."

The funeral, being arranged by Taunton Funeral Service, will be followed by a private burial in Combe Florey. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the British Heart Foundation and Love Musgrove.