Posted: December 30, 2007

The Bradford League is proud to congratulate the chairman of its major sponsor on being awarded the MBE in the 2008 New Year's Honours List.

Jack Tordoff, who transformed JCT 600 from a single site operation to one of the UK's largest privately owned independent motor groups with an annual turnover in excess of £600 million, has been honoured for his contribution to business and sport.

In his 44 years at the head of the company before becoming chairman in 2002 and handing over the reins to his son John, JCT 600 grew from its origins of one showroom housing Standard and Triumph vehicles to now being the official centre for many leading volume manufacturers as well as prestige names such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz along with sporting legends Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati and Lotus and world famous marques Aston Martin and Bentley.

In addition to sponsoring the Bradford Cricket League, Mr Tordoff has been a strong supporter of Bradford sport and has provided backing for Bradford City, Bradford Bulls and Bradford & Bingley rugby club. He was also a very keen and successful rally driver for many years and promoted the sport in the West Yorkshire area.

JCT 600 Bradford League president Keith Moss paid tribute to Mr Tordoff and his achievements today. He said: "Jack Tordoff has been an absolutely superb supporter of sport in Bradford for many years. The sponsorship his company has given the Bradford Cricket League in 2007 has been quite magnificent.

"The award of the MBE is an honour in every way and is one that is very richly deserved for a man who has done so much for Bradford."

A self-made millionaire, Mr Tordoff, 72,started out as an assistant mechanic at his father's small firm.

JCT600 takes its name from Mr Tordoff's Mercedes-Benz 600 personalised number plate, and it was in a Porsche 911 bearing that registration that he won the International Circuit of Ireland rally in 1973.