YORK Railway Institute Badminton Club stalwart John Bellerby picked up a surprise award when he watched the England v China international in Sheffield.

Bellerby, who has been a member of York RI since the 1950s and is still the club secretary after more than 30 years, was called out to collect the English Badminton Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Bellerby, 76, said: "I went to watch the England-China game and was presented with the award at the match.

"I knew nothing about it, but there was one or two from York RI who had been told.

"I think it is more to do with the RI club and the fact I managed to get the Yorkshire Schools and county teams down there to play.

"But it is always nice to get something you don't expect, especially for something you enjoy doing."

Bellerby, who lives in Acomb, only started playing as a way to keep fit while rowing, but he soon became embroiled in the club even coaching juniors.

"I was rowing with York City and wanted another way to exercise - something on land - so one of the coaches asked me to play badminton," he said.

"I have had a junior class on a Friday night for a long, long time. Although I've never reached the heights of playing for Yorkshire some of the children I have coached have, which is very pleasing."

Updated: 10:55 Saturday, December 29, 2001