UNSUNG heroes of grassroots cricket have been honoured with awards by the Kent Cricket Board.

The Alan Albury Awards are presented in memory of the former chairman of the Association of Kent Cricket Clubs (now the Kent Cricket Board clubs committee), and were presented during Kent’s match with Middlesex by Jack Overy, former president of both Kent County Cricket Club and the AKCC.

The award to Eric Batchelor, of Leigh Cricket Club, also honoured his late wife, Doris, who had supported his own work as a player since 1937, president since 1986, captain for 12 years, treasurer for 50 years, and umpire for 10 years.

Mrs Batchelor was also cited as the club’s "tea supremo" for 50 years.

Tom Sowerby, a member of Bickley Park since 1965, has served as a player, umpire and administrator, including president for two years, and match secretary since 1978.

David Daniels, club captain of Great Chart for more than 20 years, and vice-chairman, prepares the pitch for all home games and was cited as having brought the club through difficult days through his commitment, including the introduction of a colts section.

Mike Donnelly has 50 years of service to RACS in all club offices, and is presently fixture secretary, colts secretary, under-16 coach and manager, and first team umpire.

As a player he scored 52,224 runs and took 1,694 wickets.

Bilsington club secretary Sylvia Leaning has been fixture secretary since 1960, and scorer for 20 years, and runs the Ashford district emergency fixture bureau.

Her husband, Barry, has been a club member since 1955 and still plays occasionally, as well as being head groundsman, club umpire and a member of the KCB Ashford District committee.

A debut in 1951 at the age of 12 for Chris Harding led to service as chairman, groundsman and, for the past 44 years, club captain at Crockham Hill, for whom he has taken 100 wickets in a season 15 times.

He is also vice-chairman of the Kent County Village League.

Still playing at the age of 70, Geoffrey Moys has been a member of Murston for 56 years, a committee member for 48 years, and vice-chairman, as well as repairing and maintaining the club cricket bats.

His citation said: "The game has benefited from the gentlemanly spirit and integrity in which he plays his cricket."

Nigel Ingram, of Bredgar, has been a club member since 1964, chairman since 1983, and is club groundsman, having previously served as vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, captain, vice-captain and social events organiser.

An "advocate through and through" for East Langdon Cricket Club, chairman Colin Smith has played for 51 years, and has been captain, president and committee member, as well as organising fund-raising for more than 30 years to buy a new ground.

John Jones has captained teams at all levels for more than 35 of his 50 years as a member of Sandwich Town, and has held most administrative positions, including now serving as chairman for a second time.