TRIBUTES are being paid to Hanging Heaton Cricket Club's long-serving official Nat Lawrence who died on Saturday aged 83.

His association with the Bennett Lane club spanned seven decades and for 30 years he held the post of secretary.

Nat’s first job at the club came when as a schoolboy when he served as a tinner in the scorebox which was positioned at the top of the clubhouse in those days.

His love of cricket saw him go on to play for the club, but his biggest impact was to be made off the field.

Among the many tasks he carried out with his usual diligence was junior co-ordinator, but it was as secretary he excelled.

He was hugely respected and while Hanging Heaton established themselves as a major force in the Bradford League after moving from the Central Yorkshire League in 1980, his work behind the scenes underpinned their success.

His influence extended beyond Bennett Lane as he served on the organising committees of the Heavy Woollen Cup and Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy.

Nat is widely credited along with his long-time friend and former Bradford League secretary Bob Shackleton in getting the go ahead for the Bradford League clubs to rejoin the Heavy Woollen Cup in 1996.

Such was his love of England’s oldest cup competition that he was made a Life Vice-President by his fellow officials.

Further accolades were to follow including the league’s top honour, the Sir Leonard Hutton Trophy which he received in 2011.

Tributes have poured in from the cricket community since news of Nat’s death circulated on social media.

Nat’s son Dave and daughter Joanne both serve on Hanging Heaton’s committee. They along with Nat’s grandchildren and great grandchildren will be comforted by the many glowing words that have been written

League president David Young said: “Nat was somebody who gave wonderful service to his club. His love for Hanging Heaton was clear to see and he was a key figure for so many years.

“He will be sorely missed and my thoughts and those of the league are with his family and all at Hanging Heaton. Cricket has lost another great servant.”