Former Yorkshire and England captain Raymond Illingworth CBE received the coveted Sir Leonard Hutton Award for outstanding service to Bradford League cricket at a special presentation, at Pudsey St Lawrence on Tuesday, December 22.

Illingworth, 77, who is set to become the president of Yorkshire County Cricket Club next year, was unable to receive the award at last month's annual dinner as he was at his winter home in Spain.

But now that he has returned home for Christmas he was able to received the league's top accolade in recognition of his devoted work for Farsley over 60 years.

League president Keith Moss made the presentation of a trophy and afterwards Illingworth said:"I am delighted to win this award because it is named after Len Hutton, my hero."

He added: "When I was 13 I used to watch Len play for Pudsey St Lawrence home and away. I would cycle to the away games and more than once I got my front wheel caught in the tram rails.

"A few years later I was to play alongside him on my Yorkshire debut in 1953. I had just completed my National Service.

"I can also remember batting with him when I made my first century. I still have a newspaper cutting from that match. It is the report written by the celebrated Yorkshire Post cricket writer JM Kilburn. In it he remarked 'Once Illingworth got going his cover driving was reminiscent of Hutton at his best.'"

Responding to the fact the presentation was made at Tofts Road, he said: "I think it is fitting that this presentation should take place at Pudsey St Lawrence because this club has played such a big part in my cricketing life.

"I was born just down the road and watched them as a boy before attending nets. The coaches wouldn't recommended me for a place in the second team, so I went down the road to Farsley and was put straight into their team. The rest is history.

"I made my Bradford League first team debut against St Lawrence and made my first century against them in a Priestley Cup tie in 1949.

"I am extremely pleased to have won this accolade and thank the Bradford League for awarding it to me."

Before making the presentation, league president Keith Moss paid tribute to Illingworth's service to Farsley.

In a citation which he read to the audience he said: "To be actively involved in the life and activity of a club for some 60 unbroken years is quite an achievement. Tonight we salute and honour Raymond Illingworth who has been at the very heart of his club for that length of time.

"He made a very early mark in 1952 as a mere 20-year-old he compiled the highest individual score for that season, thus paving the way for a brilliant career in the game.

"As he progressed in the game, by the very nature of things, he had to spend time away from his home club, yet wherever he was, home or away, his thoughts always turned to Farsley.

"For the past 25 years or so he has been the focus of his club as chairman, grounds man, and preparer of excellent pitches, raffle seller and fund raiser. You name it he has done it with for good measure the role of hand son president. The latter role he has now retired from as he prepares to take on a high-profile position for the county club in March of next year.

"This citation warrants on its own recognition of the highest possible order but this is just a part of one individual’s contribution to the game. One of the leading all rounders of the game, captain of his adopted county (Leicestershire), captain of his home county (Yorkshire) highly-successful captain of his country.

"In this context there are very few men to be acclaimed as somebody who regained the Ashes from the old enemy (Australia) and for good measure retained them the following year. The role of highly-regarded TV commentator was easily embraced and Idle speak of many conversations Idle have had with him over many years that nobody reads the game or analyses it better. The England chairmanship followed.

"He undoubtedly scaled the heights as a professional player I use the word professional deliberately as he was the consummate one. In all he did in the game he brought great credit for himself, his club and indeed the Bradford League.

"He was deservedly honoured by the Queen when she appointed him as a commander of the most excellent order of the British Empire.

"His story comes full circle, from the fresh-faced batsman he has shown a love and devotion to his club and through them the league, but as I have said earlier by truly putting something back into the game.

"He has strong views, ruffles a few feathers from time to time. Notwithstanding that whatever he says or does has one object in mind which is the continued success of both his club and Bradford League cricket.

"I know you will join me in saluting this year’s winner of the Sire Leonard Hutton Trophy, Raymond Illingworth CBE of Farsley CC."