MAVIS Ward has been officially thanked for her 60-plus years involvement with the Spen Valley League.

A life member of the league, her first involvement came as a spectator, backing her husband Wilf, who played for Gomersal Mills.

When Wilf retired as a player in 1960 and started refereeing, Mavis was his only supporter at matches.

In 1977, Wilf became league secretary and Mavis was his unofficial assistant, doing most of the clerical work until his untimely death in 1992.

She then took over as league secretary, serving until 2013 when ill health caused her to retire from the position.

Mavis followed Wilf onto the Heavy Woollen & District FA, becoming their first woman member, and was appointed as their representative to the West Riding County FA in 1993.