The former Irish international and Ulster star, due to retire from the professional game officially this month, topped a poll organised by the telecommunications company, picking up over half of the total vote.

It was fitting that the sun shone down like a spotlight on the talismanic flyhalf at Ravenhill on Tuesday as he got pictures taken with his wife, Jayne, and children, Katie (2), James (6) and Lucy (3).

With an Achilles injury threatening to spoil a final swansong at Ravenhill in Ulster's final Magners League match against the Cardiff Blues on Friday night, it could well have been his last appearance on the turf he has graced for so many years.

The kicking duties were left to son James yesterday, place kicking and dropping goals with ease, while the arrival of brother, Ian at Ulster in the summer from Leicester, will mean there will be a Humphreys at Ravenhill for some time yet.

Whether they can follow in the footsteps of what was an illustrious career with the oval ball is yet to be seen, but if they can display the same modesty as Dr David Humphreys has, they will become a firm favourite at the ground.

One of two surviving members of the 1999 European Cup winning side, Humphreys will bow out as current fourth top points scorer in Europe, and current top points getter in the Magners League on 786.

The first of 162 Ulster caps came in September 1994 against Cumbria in Cockermouth for the former Ballymena Academy student who went on to study law at Queen's University.

When the game turned professional he joined London Irish which also coincided with his Irish debut and a career that produced 72 Irish caps and 560 points.

And while many will remember what the flyhalf has done on the pitch, it is the not so often seen David Humphreys which tells the whole story.

He has made numerous quiet appearances for charities and at hospitals or the family man where Jayne, the children and the wider circle are as important to him; as an astute business man and as a mentor to young players at the Ulster Academy such as Niall O'Connor.

His fans will all have their own memories of a glowing career, with some special moments, whether it be the try against Stade Francais in the European semi-final, the drop goal to beat Ospreys to win the Magners League or the one man victory against Wasps in the Heineken Cup when he scored 37 and it remains an individual record in the competition.

While many of the fans personal tributes summed up how they felt about a specially gifted and talented player, one important aspect was he remained a down to earth player who tried to stay out of the limelight.

It was summed up perfectly yesterday by BBC's Jim Neilly who said when Humphreys was awarded his first cap and his last, they remained the same size.