GORDON Taylor struggled to put into words how he felt to receive the unsung hero award.

The 78-year-old, who has dedicated 65 years to Great & Little Tew Cricket Club, picked up the honour at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards.

Taylor joined as a player when he was 13-years-old, has been head groundsman since 1956 and was club captain for 27 years.

He is still committed to improving Tew's facilities and is training an 18-year-old as his junior.

Taylor said: “I love to see the atmosphere when they play there.

“They all acknowledge the ground which is good and that is what we are proud of.

“It’s been very rewarding to see it going from one generation to another and another. It’s brilliant.”

Taylor’s grandsons Jack and Matt started at Tew and have gone on to make a name for themselves at the top level with Gloucestershire.

His son Kevin was also on stage at the Kassam Stadium and paid tribute to his father’s service – which received a standing ovation from the crowd.

He said: “The season is about to kick-off and I can guarantee he will be up there on his mower in a couple of months.

“It’s absolutely beautiful (at the club) and obviously dad set the standard all those years ago and those standards are being maintained every year and it gets recognised with the fixtures we get.

“We’re getting very prestigious fixtures, like English Schools finals, North Hants, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire they play at the ground and absolutely love it – and he’s responsible.”

Kevin added: “His love for the game is so infectious.

“He’s my inspiration and my boys worship him, their faces light up when they see him watching them play.

“It all started with him.”