Ken Millican, a long-serving official in Cumberland amateur rugby league circles, is taking a back seat after more than 50 years in the sport.

But he goes as the proud recipient of a Merit Award from the Rugby Football League for his services to the game.

Ken, from Cockermouth, has stood down as secretary of Cumbria County but will remain on the committee, while he has relinquished the role of PRO to the Iggesund Cumberland ARL but will be there if his successor Lorraine Degraff needs any assistance.

“I think it’s time to cut back but I have enjoyed every minute of my time in the game, which started as a 16-year-old playing for Cockermouth," said Ken.

“I also played at Broughton Moor, and had spells at both clubs helping to run them. Then, I was asked to join the Cumberland ARL management committee and it’s just gone on from there.

“I was very proud to receive the Merit Award from the Rugby Football League which really capped-off things for me.”

Taking over as secretary of the County set-up will be Allan McKnight from the south of the county.

The chairman’s role has also become vacant through the retirement of Alfie Sim through ill health. He has also stood down as vice chairman of the Iggesund Cumberland ARL.

“It’s a very sad day that Alfie has had to stand down because he has been around for a lot longer than me and has done so much for the sport in this part of the world,” said Ken.

Looking back at the performances of the County side this year, Ken said he had been impressed how the players had performed under new coach Gary Hewer and his assistants Lee Edmondson and Matthew Johnston.

He said:“We beat Lancashire and lost at Yorkshire in the open age tournament and it all went down to points difference as Lancashire beat Yorkshire in the final game.

"We lost out on the title by only six points, which I think was a very good effort.

“Although the Under-19s and Under-17s each lost both their inter-county games there were some pluses, notably the efforts of the respective coaches Jonty Moore and Joe Elliott."

The County give out two annual awards – the Tony McKnight Trophy for the man of the series in the Under-19s which went to Liam O’Leary of Seaton and the Tom Castle Trophy for the person who had done most for Cumbria County ARL this year and it went to the captain Matthew Bewsher of Egremont.

Ken added: “I’d just like to wish all the best to Cumbria County ARL and Cumberland ARL in the future and wish all players and officials a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."