Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris has led the tributes to the county’s former coach and player John Derrick, who has died at the age of 54.

Derrick, who played over 200 matches for Glamorgan and New Zealand’s Northern Districts between 1983 and 1991 as a seam bowler and lower-order batsman, was diagnosed with a brain tumour last summer.

A statement on Glamorgan’s official website said: “JD embodied all that is good about cricket at both professional and club level.

“Glamorgan CCC, and Welsh cricket as a whole, has lost a great and loyal servant, and the game will be very much the poorer for his passing.”

Morris, a former team-mate, said: “John Derrick was one of my closest friends in the game.

“We started playing together for Welsh Schools at Under-15 level and were room-mates in our early years at Glamorgan.

“He was always a hugely popular member of the dressing room and universally liked throughout the game.

“He enjoyed a successful playing career and became an outstanding coach, being seen by many Glamorgan players past and present as an inspirational figure in their careers. John was a great servant to cricket in Wales both on and off the field and will be sadly missed by us all.”

Former Glamorgan and England bowler Simon Jones also paid tribute, tweeting: “Saddened to hear the passing of John Derrick. Coached me, mentored me, amazing man… RIP JD.”

Former Glamorgan and England opener Steve James tweeted: “Such a pleasure to have known John Derrick. Superb coach but more importantly wonderful man. Only he could have sung Ernie at my wedding RIP.”

And former BBC Wales cricket correspondent Edward Bevan tweeted: “Farewell my good friend, remembered your debut, your career and then our commentaries… will miss you greatly..RIP JD.”

Cwmaman-born Derrick moved into coaching after his playing career finished and quickly rose through the ranks at Glamorgan.

He was Duncan Fletcher’s assistant when Glamorgan won the county championship title in 1997.

Derrick took charge of his beloved Glamorgan five years later and steered Glamorgan to National League titles in 2002 and 2004.

He also led Glamorgan to their only Twenty20 Finals Day appearance in 2004, as well as winning promotion in the county championship.

Derrick was replaced as coach in February 2007, but he remained in Welsh cricket and was appointed national performance director of the Cricket Board of Wales in 2010.

He was working in that role in charge of all the Wales age group sides, as well as the senior women’s team, when he was taken ill last summer.

Cricket Wales Chief Executive Peter Hybart added, “JD was an inspiration to young men, women and parents as they followed their dream of representing Wales age-groups, Glamorgan and England.

“He had an unrivalled passion for cricket at all levels throughout the length and breadth of Wales and will be so sadly missed by the whole Welsh cricket family.”