JCT 600 Bradford League annual dinner 2007

Lightcliffe stalwart Rodney Heyhoe is this year's recipient of the coveted Sir Leonard Hutton Award for services to Bradford League Cricket.

Rodney, 62, is one of the two club representatives on the Management Board and received the honour from JCT 600 Bradford League president Keith Moss at Friday's annual dinner.

Rodney’s has been associated with Lightcliffe for 54years, first joining as an eight year old. His contribution to our club, the Bradford League and to Yorkshire Cricket since then has been immense.

Rodney was a good Bradford League cricketer, playing both first and second team cricket with the kind of dedication and skill that has continued since he hung up his boots, prematurely he still believes, in the early 90s.

Arguably his finest moment came as Man of the Match in the 1979 Priestley Shield Final win.

Rodney’s energy and commitment to the development of his club, to the Bradford League and to groundsmanship in the Yorkshire region are impressive.

With Lightcliffe he has served for 20 years on the club committee, ten of those years as club secretary and five as Junior Cricket Coordinator.

He has also performed the role of groundsman for 15 years, regularly producing impressive playing surfaces.

Rodney has been part of the Bradford League management board since its inception in 2005, and before that was a member of the executive committee for 17 seasons.

His connection with junior cricket has seen him be a part of the Bradford Junior League executive for 30 years.

His greatest love is groundsmanship and he is responsible for the JCT 600 Bradford League's facilities marking scheme.

His skills in groundsmanship have seen him hold key roles with YCA/YCB and his is also a leading official of the Institute of Groundsmen.

Rodney is a familiar figure to all who know the Bradford League and has friends and colleagues with whom is happy to chat, share advice and anecdotes at every ground throughout the League.

Nominating him for the award, club secretary Steve Hartley said: "His time and expertise has been willingly given at all levels and to all-comers for no financial gain for well over 30 years. He is an inspiration and example to all."

Bradford League president Keith Moss said: "Rodney has a record of outstanding service to cricket and one it is hard to se bettered. He is a credit to his club and to the league, he is a most worthy and deserving winner of the accolade."