THE chairman of a North Yorkshire sports team has received national recognition from among hundreds of nominations across the country.

David Alloway, of Knaresborough Forest Cricket Club, was chosen as one of 11 Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Community Cricket Heroes for his outstanding contribution to grassroots cricket and his community.

The MCC is considered as the ‘spiritual home’ of the game played across the globe and the club chairman was a guest of MCC president Mark Nicholas at Lord’s cricket ground in London to watch a day of the England v Sri Lanka test match held there from August 29.

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David travels 25 miles to and from the club multiple times a week to help coach the newly formed women’s teams, organise the annual gala, or run the All-Stars programme.

In his 20 years at the club, he has helped the club grow whilst organising games for those with disabilities.

David said: “I was honoured to receive the notification that I had been recognised as an MCC Community Cricket Hero, having had no idea I had even been nominated.

“Although there was a slightly early finish due to bad light, we saw a really good day's play, the highlight of which was seeing my fellow Yorkshireman Joe Root secure his 34th Test hundred.

“The MCC team made me feel thoroughly welcome throughout the day and I was delighted to get to meet and chat with many of the people on the very impressive list of guests.    

“Overall, it was a fantastic day which I will long remember.”