COLIN White was described as both a rock and tube of super glue by Steve Wilkes, chairman and appointments' secretary of the Dales Council League Umpires' Association (DCUA) at their annual meeting at Pudsey Congs.

In his address, Wilkes said: "What would we do without him? What would be without him?

"This association would collapse and disintegrate. He reminds me of a tube of super glue – we need him to keep everything stuck together and to keep us informed and updated with information.

"He is the rock of our association, he is respected and appreciated for everything that he does.

"Also thanks to our treasurer Mick (Edwards) but the biggest thanks are to you (the umpires) – if it wasn't for you we wouldn't have this association."

Wilkes also paid tribute to the DCUA president Bill Beckett, who lost a nine-year battle with cancer in August – "a gentleman and one of the most respected and nicest men the league and association has ever known".

Wilkes and Bill Kelso, meanwhile, were made life members of the association, while Bill Tearle has moved up to be president and Keith Dibb to vice-president.