A CRICKET club's ground has been renamed after the death of its former chairman.

The Billingshurst CC ground has been renamed the Jim Burroughs Oval after he died on August 12 from cancer.

His family had requested that his hearse do one final lap of the Billingshurst outfield after his funeral service in September.

Billingshurst chairman Jon Alexander: "That will be a lasting memory for anyone who goes there: whether it's cricketers, dog walkers, fitness people or footballers.

"I think that's quite poignant for the future and for every member of Billingshurst past and present."

Jim has since been named LV= Insurance Club Hero at the Pride of Cricket Awards, for his 29 years of service to the club.

He had died after his nomination was made, but his family asked for his name to remain part of the public vote, which he won by a considerable margin.

Jim Burroughs arrived at the club in 1992 and quickly took on more and more responsibilities, including the chairmanship, the coaching of juniors sides, and the groundswork, as well as the captaincy of the Sunday XI.

Jon Alexander said: "The reaction was one of real sadness from the club, because he was so personable."

"He had a real passion about people, and he wanted people to experience the best they possibly could at a cricket club".

"Groundsman, coach, committee member, local councillor, there are a lot of roles he's done.

Jim is the inaugural winner of the LV= Insurance Club Hero award and he played a critical part in the club's move to a new ground, long held the role of chairman and only gave up the groundwork this year as he dealt with cancer following his diagnosis three years ago.

Despite that battle, he continued to do all he could to help Billingshurst through two seasons of Covid-19 affected cricket with the same grit, determination and enthusiasm which defined him. And he was still a regular member of the crowd at Jubilee Fields, watching his son Mike in the club's 1st XI.

The Argus: The 1st Central County Ground, Hove.The 1st Central County Ground, Hove.

A spokesman for Sussex CCC said: "All at Sussex Cricket would like to congratulate everyone at Billingshurst CC and Jim's family on the recognition of his outstanding service to the recreational game in the county."