A new award is to be presented in memory of former Northamptonshire fast bowler Alan Hodgson.

‘Hodge’ – who died last October, aged 64 – had an almost unique involvement in cricket in the county.  He played for NCCC between 1970 and 1979, returning to Wantage Road later as a coach of young cricketers, captain/manager of the County Colts side and manager of the Lynn Wilson Indoor Centre.

He also played for Overstone Park and Old Northamptonians in local league cricket, captaining ONs to the County League title, and was the first vice-chairman of the Northamptonshire Cricket League (NCL) following the amalgamation of the four existing leagues in 2003.

To recognise this, and with the blessing of his partner Linda, the Alan Hodgson Award will be presented annually – starting in 2017 – for ‘contribution to cricket in Northamptonshire’ in its widest sense.

A judging panel will decide the winner, with the announcement made at Former Players’ Day – an occasion very close to Alan’s heart, and which he helped to organise for many years.  The winner will be invited to receive the award at the County Ground on that day.

This year’s Former Players’ Day will be on Sunday August 6 – the opening day of Northamptonshire’s County Championship match against Gloucestershire – and it’s hoped many of Alan’s friends and former team-mates will be able to attend and share the occasion.