A VETERAN cricket official who has been involved with the sport for 70 years has won the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League’s top accolade.

Ninety-one-year-old Tom Priestley is the latest recipient of the Sir Leonard Hutton Trophy which is awarded for outstanding service to the league.

Priestley, who has made a marked impact on the careers of young cricketers, umpires and scorers, was “surprised and delighted” to be chosen.

He said: “I am chuffed at getting this award. It is a lovely surprise and one I never expected.

“In my eyes the Bradford League is the best league and I have enjoyed the comradeship and friendship of so many people through the years.”

Priestley enjoyed a 25-year playing career in senior cricket in the Bradford Central and Bradford Mutual Sunday School Leagues with Wibsey Congs, Park Chapel and Great Horton Meths.

He then took up umpiring and was invited to join the Bradford League umpires’ panel in 1982.

In a 26-year period he took charge or around 1,000 league and cup games and officiated at the Priestley Cup finals in 1988 and 2002.

Priestley served as treasurer and chairman of the Bradford League Umpires Association and his outstanding contribution saw him made a life vice-president. He also helped many new umpires as an examiner for the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers.

Priestley has always been a passionate supporter of junior cricket and was one of the founders of Gordon Bowers Competition with its popular pairs format in 1983.

He served as treasurer and chairman of the umpires’ association and his outstanding contribution saw him made a life vice-president. He also helped many new umpires as an examiner for the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers.

A straight-talking individual who was never afraid to stand up for what he felt was right, he served on the old Bradford League management committee and its successor the Management Board for a total of 15 years. His contribution saw him award life membership of the league.

On top of his considerable achievements for the Bradford League he was also secretary of the Bradford Area Council for 30 years and has had a long association with the Bradford Evening League holding a number of key posts including chairman, a position he held for 34 years before stepping down in 2006.

Pudsey St Lawrence opener Mark Robertshaw was named player of the year after scoring 1,079 in his side’s Premier Division title win. He also won the Premier batting and top run scorer awards.

Yorkshire spinner James Logan, of Farsley, won the bowling averages and the Sir Learie Constantine All-rounder trophies.

Birstall’s talented all-rounder Josh Haynes won both the Gordon Bowers Young Cricketer of the Year and Ernest Lodge Young Spinner prizes.