A top bowler has died.

Jeff Sykes played for Mirfield Old Bank, Yorkshire and England over many years and was highly regarded within the bowling world.

Mr Sykes was 87 and is survived by his wife Doris, son Andrew and daughter in law Julie.

He was born and brought up in Almondbury and after leaving school started work as an apprentice joiner at the former ICI works in Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

One of his colleagues at the plant was Mirfield Old Bank bowler Colin English and it was him who introduced the young man to the nightlife and delights of Mirfield.

He met his future wife in the town and then moved to set up home there.

After leaving ICI he became a senior site foreman and site manager on several major building projects including the Silver Blades ice rink in Bradford, the Merrion Centre in Leeds and the former Yorkshire Post building.

His superb career on the bowling greens lasted for well over 40 years. He bowled for his beloved Mirfield Old Bank through those four decades and was an integral part of the team which claimed many titles and cups in the Heavy Woollen and Spen Valley Leagues.

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The club also went on to reign supreme at both county and national level and enjoyed a golden era through much of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Mr Sykes played over 70 times for the Yorkshire side and served as home team captain under the late great Stewart Richardson.

He captained Yorkshire in several Crosfield Cup championships and also won the Harry Pearson Trophy.

His son Andrew followed him into bowling and Mr Sykes was so proud that both he and his son were selected to represent England against Wales at senior and junior level respectively.

On the individual front he won several major competitions in both summer and winter competitions, but his proudest moment came in a competition he didn’t win.

He bowled in the Waterloo Handicap at Blackpool in front of a huge crowd, losing in the final to five-times winner Brian Duncan.

To relax, Mr Sykes enjoyed holidays in the sun and spent the last 20 Christmases in Tenerife with his family.