PHILIP Radcliffe has been awarded the Yorkshire Cricket Board’s highest accolade in recognition of his outstanding service.

He is only the second person – former managing director Ian Chappell was the first - to be made a patron. The decision was confirmed at the YCB’s AGM, which was held on Monday evening.

Radcliffe, who is an officer of the Bradford League and a long-serving umpire, said: “I am proud and privileged to receive this unexpected accolade.

“It has been an honour to serve Yorkshire Cricket for almost 30 years through the Yorkshire Cricket Association and the Yorkshire Cricket Board, especially the seven years I served as chairman of the YCB.”

The decision to make Radcliffe a patron comes six months after he decided to stand down as a non-executive director to make way for new recruits.

He was a major part of the Yorkshire Cricket Association (the forerunner to YCB) for many years, where he became vice chairman from February 2005 until its closure in February 2011 under the chairmanship of Eric Chadderton.

Radcliffe was not one of the original YCB board members in 1996, but soon replaced Gerry Oxlade.

He was vice chairman from March 2005 until March 2009, when he succeeded Bob Platt as chairman.

He remained chairman and guided the board through many changes until March 2016, when he stood down and became a non-executive director.

Radcliffe’s experience includes a range of club and league administration roles within both senior and junior cricket.

He currently serves as Bradford Junior League chairman, as a Bradford League official, and the North Region Chairman of ECB ACO.

He was previously YCB ACO chairman and a member of the ECB's Recreational Cricket Committee.

Radcliffe is also a former president of the Joe Lumb and Yorkshire Junior Cricket Festival competitions, plus the Heavy Woollen Cup

Bradford League chairman David Young said: “This is a well-deserved accolade for Philip and shows the respect he is held in for his work with the YCB.

“We are fortunate to be able to tap into his vast experience of cricket administration at league level.”