George Robinson Reah served the grass roots of the White Rose county's game for more than half a century despite being a proud Lancastrian at heart.

Mr Reah originally hailed from Manchester and his love for the game started at a young age when playing from Urmston, his local team, and in leagues in North Wales.

His talents off the field, for which he would make his mark on the sport, were also spotted early.

During the Second World War he was given the honour of being appointed acting secretary of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

A move with his job as a commercial manager for the Yorkshire Electricity Board brought him across the Pennines with his family in the early 1950s.

Mr Reah soon became involved with North Leeds Cricket Club, near his home in Roundhay. He joined the second XI as a spin bowler and stubborn batsman before retiring as a player after six seasons with the club.

But again it was his with abilities off the field where he truly excelled.

He established North Leeds's junior section in 1959.

More than 50 years on, the club has one of the strong junior cricket set-ups in the city, boasting nine teams of different age ranges.

He also served two spells as the secretary at North Leeds. Between 1962 and 1980 he was secretary, vice-president and then president of the Aire and Wharfedale Senior Cricket League. From 1978 to 1984 he was also secretary of the Yorkshire Cricket Association.

During this time he turned his keen eye for administrative detail to re-writing the constitution of all three organisations, helping them all to flourish in future years.

In 1982 Mr Reah was named Leeds Sportsperson of the Year for his dedication to cricket in the city.

He was presented with the award from the Leeds Sports Council at a Civic Hall reception.

Ian Chappell, chief executive of the Yorkshire Cricket Board, said: "I think it is fair to say that at one time he was the most influential administrator in Yorkshire cricket.

"He will be best remembered for how efficient he was. He always got things organised properly.

"His lasting legacy will be the junior section at North Leeds and the constitutions he revised on his own for the club, the Aire and Wharfedale league and the Yorkshire Cricket Association.

"They have all gone on to better things after he established a clear framework in which they could improve over the years.

"When he first became involved with the league it was not particularly held in high regard. But by the time he retired it contained players which made it capable of winning the Yorkshire leagues knock-out competition."

Mr Reah died peacefully in hospital on Monday, January 4.

He leaves wife Ivy, daughter Jean, son George, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at St Edmunds Church, Roundhay, tomorrow, at 2.30pm.