Cricket and football-loving Craig Priestley might have enjoyed two of the biggest sporting events of the past five months in the flesh – the Ryder Cup and the final two Ashes tests - but table tennis remains the number one priority for the Unity member.

He began playing in the Bradford League as a teenager with Salem B in Division Seven before moving to the A team in Division Four.

Priestley then joined Unity, continuing to improve, and is now established with their C team in Division Two.

He is also a fervent Bradford City fan and has followed the Bantams since 1987, enduring the highs and lows from Manchester to Macclesfield, Arsenal to Accrington and Liverpool to Lincoln.

But Priestley had in mind a bigger sporting double as the old year drew to an end and the new one began.

First of all, he took his father on a surprise birthday trip to the Ryder Cup, where they enjoyed the dramatic final day.

Then Priestley went to Australia for the final two tests and, despite a few hiccups with the travel due to the winter weather, he reached Melbourne, being seen on TV at the MCG proudly wearing his Bradford City shirt as he cheered England to Ashes glory.

The Yorkshire League resumes on Sunday and Bradford are in veterans’ action, with Bradford-3 visiting Keighley in Division Two, while Bradford-4 are at home to Ryedale in Division Three.