Two of the Huddersfield Cricket League’s most prestigious individual awards, the Lady Sykes Candlesticks, have been awarded to Tim Jones of Shelley and Simon Kelly of Honley for their exceptional contributions to their clubs and the game.
Nominated by their respective clubs, both players have shown long-standing dedication both on and off the field.
Tim Jones’s remarkable cricket journey spans an extraordinary 47 years in the Huddersfield Cricket League, during which he has played over 1,000 league and cup matches, scored more than 10,000 runs, and claimed over 1,100 victims behind the stumps across league, Heavy Woollen and Sykes Cup competitions — including around 950 league victims alone.
Tim began his career at Shepley CC in 1978, scoring 50 on debut for the 2nd XI and featuring in the 1979 and 1981 Paddock Shield finals. He made his first-team debut in 1979, again scoring 50, initially as a batsman rather than a wicketkeeper. During his time at Shepley he was part of the 1982 and 1984 First Division title-winning sides and played in the 1983 Champions of Champions final.
In 1986, Tim joined Holmfirth CC, helping secure immediate promotion to the First Division. Over the next 13 years he became a key figure in a side that consistently finished in the top four of League One, and in 1992 he won the league wicketkeeping prize. His biggest regret remains missing the 1988 Sykes Cup final through injury.
Moving to Shelley CC in 1999, Tim played a major role in the club’s transition from the Central League to the District League. As captain, and later chairman and trustee, he led Shelley from the 2nd Division to the Premiership, reaching the Sykes Cup final in 2003 — a feat unmatched for another 23 years — and finishing Premiership runners-up in 2006. In 2007, he helped Shelley’s 2nd XI win the Crowther Cup.
In 2010, Tim joined Denby CC, where he assisted both on the field and on the committee, helping the club into the District League and to a 3rd Division title around 2013.
He returned to Shelley CC in 2017, helping stabilise the club off the field and contributing to their 2nd Division title that same year. From 2018 onwards, he stepped into the 2nd XI to support junior development, leading them through successive promotions to their current position in Division 2. He remains both a trustee and active player.
Across his distinguished career, Tim has:
- Won the Premiership twice and finished runner-up once
- Won the Championship four times and the Conference once
- Won or achieved promotion in eight of the nine divisions
- Played in two Paddock Shield finals, two Sykes Cup semi-finals, one Crowther Cup final (winner), and the Champions of Champions final
Now proudly representing the Yorkshire Over-60s, Tim Jones stands as one of the Huddersfield League’s most enduring and dedicated cricketers — a true servant to the game on and off the field, and a thoroughly deserving winner of the Lady Sykes Candlestick Award.
Simon Kelly joined Honley in 2002 from Thongsbridge as a talented 20-year-old opening batsman. Since then, he has gone on to become one of the most destructive and consistent openers the league has ever seen, becoming only the fourth player in league history to surpass 20,000 League and Sykes Cup runs — an extraordinary achievement that speaks to his enduring quality and dedication to the game
During his time at Honley, Simon has been a central figure in the club’s most successful era, helping secure six league titles under the captaincy of Rob “Archie” Moore. In addition, he has lifted two Sykes Cups and the Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy, further cementing his place among the club’s greats.
Off the field, Simon has been just as committed. He has served on the club committee for over 12 years and more recently has turned his attention to nurturing the next generation, helping to coach and manage the Under-11 and Under-13 teams. Listen to Simon talk about his remarkable career on the latest CHCC Pod#77
Congratulations to both players who will be presented with their awards at the 2025 Awards & Prize Presentation Evening on Friday 28th November, where they have been invited as guests of the League’s President.
