The Upper Airedale Junior Cricket Association paid tribute to Derek Hurren at their annual meeting.

The organisation’s secretary died aged 61 just before Christmas after a short illness.

Hurren, who lived in Cononley, took up his role as league (association) secretary in 1997 after answering a newspaper advert.

Under his leadership, the league developed beyond recognition and, two years ago, it became an association when taking responsibility for representative cricket.

New secretary Terry Thompson said: “Derek’s forte was his rationalisation of association rules, the command of which he had no equal.”