It was a fitting finale to an inspiring night.
Veteran cyclist Brian Robinson was named as the first Kirklees Sports Legend.
And his award came at the end of the presentation of the Kirklees Community Sports Awards which saw fantastic tales of sporting endeavour from young and old, on and off the field.
Huddersfield-born Robinson, who now lives in Mirfield, was the first Briton to win a leg of the Tour de France in 1958.
Almost 60 years on and he is still cycling – albeit with the help of a small electric motor on his bike – and played a key role in ensuring cycling is more popular than ever particularly in Yorkshire.
Brian, who turned 85 last week, was a popular winner at the awards, organised by Huddersfield Town and backed by a host of local companies.
The judges included Sir Patrick Stewart, Town ambassador Andy Booth, rugby stars Eorl Crabtree and Luther Burrell and Yorkshire cricket captain Andrew Gale.
Brian said: “I started riding a bike as a schoolboy with no ambitions and it just went on. I’m delighted to get this recognition in Huddersfield.”
Town director Sean Jarvis said: “We wanted to recognise the wonderful depth of sporting talent and support there is at grassroots level and we are inspired by these people.”
At the other end of the age scale to Brian, there were awards for young stars of the future.
They included Lydia Walker, a netball player with Yorkshire Jets and England; sprinter Daniel Walsh, of Longwood Harriers; and the Honley High School Year 10 soccer team, who lost just three out of 67 games.
Other award winners were: Geoff Ladbrooke, of Berry Brow AFC (Sports Official); Anthony Leech and Andy Gledhill (Sports Teachers); Paul Bentley, of Huddersfield Otters Water Polo Club (Outstanding Service); Deighton Table Tennis Club (Most Improved); Rawthorpe Amateur Boxing Club (Sports Club); and Rich McLeod, of Holmfirth Harriers (Disabled Athlete).
