Fernhurst Cricket Club have made Geoff Howe and Mike Allen honorary life members of the club.

The honour reflects many decades of work and play for the club.

Off the pitch, the pair have put in countless hours in committee, administration and grounds work.

They were honoured at a lunch hosted by Fernhurst Cricket Club president Bill Gourlay and presented with their honours caps by I'Anson League president Keith Ellis. The President’s XI match against an I'Anson XI was rained off before a ball was bowled, but it will be rescheduled for next year.

Gourlay said: “We’re honoured to have two players nearing the end of their careers who have made enormous contributions to the club, so we wanted to take advantage of the I’Anson president’s visit to recognise this.

“If you look up the top batsmen on the I’Anson website you’ll find Mike Allen at number one on 8,000 odd runs, but we know the actual figure is nearer 14,000 – but records from earlier years are a little patchy.

“Mike’s contribution to the club over several decades as captain, club captain and star performer have been huge as he created the next part of the Allen family dynasty.

“Similarly, Geoff Howe has been a firm fixture of the club, and trust, over several decades. Bamboozling generations with his miserly and metronomic bowling, in addition to playing the latest late cut imaginable. A true scientist of the game, it’s fascinating to watch as he sets out his pinpoint fields.

“We are truly privileged to be able to share the field with such loyal servants of the club, and are delighted that they are still able to occasionally turn out for us. We are, therefore, delighted to give them the highest honour of honorary life members of the club.”