Retired umpire Dickie Bird has succeeded his former Barnsley CC colleague Geoff Boycott as President of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
He said: "It is a tremendous honour and the pinnacle of my career. "I feel so humble but, at the same time, so proud."
Dickie, aged 80, of White Rose Cottage, Staincross, was 16 when he walked through the famous Headingley gates to attend the nets.
"Never in my wildest dreams at that age did I think I would become club president," he said.
"Sir Donald Bradman, the great Australian batsman, told me Yorkshire was the greatest club in the world."
At 19 he signed full-time with Yorkshire, made his debut in 1956 and joined Leicestershire as a batsman at the age of 24. On retiring as a cricketer, he was an umpire for 31 years and umpired in 66 test matches, 93 one day internationals and three World Cup finals.
He said: "I would like Yorkshire to win the county championship during my year as president; last year they came very close. "My first roles will be to attend the photo shoot of the team at the beginning of the season and to make a speech to the members."
