AWARD-WINNING North York-shire cricket groundsman Mike Corley has died at the age of 66 after an illness.

He had spells at both York and Scarborough cricket clubs before landing a key role with the Test and County Cricket Board as deputy pitches consultant in 1995.

Mr Corley's career as a groundsman started at Ellesmere Port Parks Department, followed by stints with Huddersfield and Elland Cricket Clubs and two years at Bradford Park Avenue.

He came to York in April 1982 to take over the reins at Clifton Park from Clarrie Wright.

Mr Corley produced some excellent Yorkshire League wickets at York and moved back to the county circuit in 1984 when he took charge at North Marine Road, Scarborough.

He won six TCCB awards in ten years with the Seasiders, including the 'Best Outground Award' three times.

He continued to work as a turf and seed consultant while improving the square at the Circle in Hull. His consultancy work included assisting St Peter's School, York, and Hull University with their pitches.

Mr Corley, who lived near Scarborough, was then given his ground-breaking role by the TCCB and worked as a sort of pitch troubleshooter and helped relay the Cambridge University wicket at Fenners.

He was instrumental in developing pitches in Holland where the only cricket was played on coconut matting strips.

His work paid off and the Dutch now have sufficiently good wickets to take part in English one-day competitions.

Mr Corley also travelled to Canada to develop wickets in Toronto - crucial work in the bid to spread the game of cricket around the world.

Updated: 11:12 Wednesday, November 26, 2003