Keighley Cricket Club stalwart Keith Robinson admitted this week that winning the Bradford League’s prestigious Sir Leonard Hutton Trophy had still not sunk in.

The 78-year-old’s name was added next to the likes of former England Test skipper Ray Illingworth and ex-Yorkshire captain Ronnie Burnet for outstanding service to the league.

The organisation’s highest accolade is deserved recognition for his 60-year association with them in which he has shown dedication as a player, umpire, club official, child welfare officer, league representative and teas guru.

And Keith said: “I feel on top of the world. It hasn’t sunk in yet and I don’t think it ever will.

“Getting a trophy like that is the highest award I could get in the Bradford League and is something I’ll enjoy for the rest of my life.”

Keith acknowledged the input of his wife Lesley, who received a bouquet of flowers from league president Keith Moss in recognition of her part in what is very much a team effort.

She is often at his side in the tearoom and has given outstanding service to Keighley too. Keith said: “I couldn’t have done it without her. When I used to play cricket on a Saturday, she looked after our children.

“She has provided wonderful support and she got me through (bowel) cancer.”

Their teamwork was in evidence during the 15 years that Lesley was secretary of the Heavy Woollen Cup competition and the pair were named Yorkshire Cricket Board volunteers of the year in 2009.

Keith becomes the first Keighley member to win the Len Hutton Trophy since Jack Emsey back in 1984 and he said he hoped the honour would help put the club on the map.

Keith, whose sons Phillip, Richard and Jamie have given so much to the game, was lost for words at the league’s annual dinner last Friday when he received the award in front of a packed room at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford.

But when he regathered his composure, he said: “I am very surprised and very honoured.

“Cricket has been my life and this is the zenith for me.

“I will probably carry on what I am doing for another two seasons.

“I will be 80 in July 2015, and after that season I just want to go and watch Richard play. It’s been six or seven years since I’ve been able to do that.”

Both Richard and his sister Rachel were present at the dinner to watch the twin presentations.

Moss, who announced the award, said “He is the focal point of the club and no-one deserves this award more.”

Keith’s three sons have all played with distinction. Philip went on to play for Yorkshire, Richard is the record league run-scorer in the Bradford League, topping 17,000, and Jamie has also been a top player in the Bradford League, and currently captains Long Lee’s first team in the Craven League.

It is a testament to Keith’s dedication to his club that he has missed many of Richard’s outstanding innings for Keighley because he has been serving teas.

Keith and Lesley are loyal supporters of junior cricket. Every penny they raise in the tearoom goes to support that aspect of their club.

Keith first started playing in the 1950s and was a batsman of some skill and an outstanding fielder for Bradford & Bingley and Saltaire. When his playing days were over he became a respected umpire and stood in a Priestley Cup final.