CROSSFLATTS Cricket Club has named its new electronic scoreboard after their longest-serving fan.

Malcolm Preston has been a loyal supporter of the club, both home and away, for 49 years.

He started watching the club when they were in the Aire-Wharfe League and he has since watched them in the Bradford Central League and the Craven League.

In 1995 when the club was in the Bradford Central League, the club didn’t have any junior sides and Preston was one of the driving forces behind them deciding to set an Under-12s and an u17s side back up that season.

The club have had junior sides ever since and they now have a flourishing junior set-up.

First team captain Dominic Bennett said: “Crossflatts Cricket Club simply wouldn’t be Crossflatts Cricket Club if it wasn’t for Malcolm.

"His unbiased commentary adds a sparkle to games and he is respected by all fans in our league and neighbouring leagues.

"His commentary timing is excellent and there is no better buzz than hearing his nice words when you are out in the middle when you play a good shot, take a good catch, bowl a good ball or do some good fielding.

"He has been so loyal to us over the years, supporting us home and away, and the naming of the scoreboard in his name is more than deserved.”

The electronic scoreboard idea came after club stalwart Jonathan Gath enlisted the help of ex-players Shane Whitford and David Hall to help arrange a golf days to raise the required funds.

After three successful golf days, the new custom electronic scoreboard was finally ordered.