BRIAN Green, described as "a small fella with a big heart", has won the Bradford Mutual Sunday School League's top annual honour.

A league vice-president, as well as being on the handbook committee for six years and, for almost 20 years, the trophy steward, he was presented with the Leslie Briggs Trophy at the league's annual prize-presentation at the Dubrovnik Hotel.

League chairman Nick Spachis, who read the citation, said: "The recipient richly deserves it for the dedication shown to the Bradford Mutual Sunday School Cricket League over many years.

"He played for a number of teams in the league, including Bingley Road, Queens Road and Odsal, as a batsman, slow bowler and a very good fielder (he won the league's fielding trophy in 2004).

"It was when he bowled an over with an orange that he realised his eyesight had gone and he was now qualified to become an umpire at which he was good and fair.

"A small fella with a big heart, he fully deserves this award for services to the league."

Green, 58, who is only 5ft 3in, said: "It is nice to get something back after all the years, and a lot of players don't realise what work goes into being a committee member.

"They just turn up for their matches through the season and then come back in April ready for a new season."