Milton Lindsay When Hales coach Pete Dye bumped into West Indies legend Michael Holding at the cricket World Cup in the Caribbean last year, little did he know that they would be renewing their acquaintance just over a year later.

Milton Lindsay

When Hales coach Pete Dye bumped into West Indies legend Michael Holding at the cricket World Cup in the Caribbean last year, little did he know that they would be renewing their acquaintance just over a year later.

Only this time Dye was the star of the show when he received a certificate to mark his grass-roots coaching work from the fast-bowling great at Trent Bridge last week.

Dye is one of 80 coaches nationwide being honoured under the Sky Sports scheme to reward some of the game's unsung heroes.

And he was delighted when the former pace ace, affectionately known as “Whispering Death”, put down his Sky commentator's microphone to hand over the award during the tea interval of the England v New Zealand Test match at Trent Bridge.

“It was special to receive the award from Michael Holding. He was staying at the same hotel as me in Antigua at the World Cup last year and remembered me. I am old enough to remember him and the part he played in the formidable West Indies bowling attack in the 1970s and 80s.”

Norfolk youth manager and Hales club coach Dye enjoyed VIP treatment during his day at the Test, during which he saw England's Kevin Pietersen score a hundred.

Dye said: “Many of us do cricket work not for financial reward but for the love of the game and to put something back into the game by helping youngsters to develop as cricketers, so it was nice to have some recognition.

“The award is also recognition for our club and the way we have made progress with our youth structure.”

Dye received the Sky award for his work as Norfolk U10 to U14 manager over the past five years and for organising a tour to Jersey for the U14s last year.

His work with the Hales club, of which he is chairman, was also highlighted. Seventeen players used in the first team last season came through the youth system.

Several have represented Norfolk junior sides, and are playing in the team which stepped up to the Norfolk Alliance this season.

Over 11 years Hales have increased the number of youth teams from one to six. The club has also achieved Clubmark status and taken part in the Chance to Shine Programme, linked with local schools.