That's Out! Dickie Bird opens his wallet for Yorkshire

Dickie Bird, one the most famous of former Test umpires, has gone beyond the call of duty to help with Yorkshire's development of Headingley by funding a new dressing room balcony out of his own pocket.

Bird, now 81, is revered in his native Yorkshire for his eccentric good nature, and as his largesse is applauded around the county, the jokes that nobody has ever seen his wallet have now become outdated in quite wonderful style.

Bird has been nominated to stand for a second term as Yorkshire president at the AGM in April - an uncommon honour which even passed Geoffrey Boycott by, and which has been proposed in recognition of the support role he played as the county won the Championship for the first time in 13 years.

"These lads have given me so much pleasure over the past 12 months with their magnificent performances in the Championship and I wanted to reward them for their efforts," he said.

"I want to invest in the team and give something back. When they said the players need to have their own external balcony, located directly behind the bowler's arm, I had no hesitation in making it happen. They will benefit from being outside watching the cricket rather than being behind glass in the current viewing area."

Yorkshire's director of cricket Martyn Moxon added: "I can't thank Dickie enough. The players are delighted. Our current viewing gallery can get a little claustrophobic, particularly on warm days. Dickie is well respected in the dressing room and the fact he never misses a game is testament to his passion and love for Yorkshire cricket."

Bird's home town, Barnsley, honoured him some years ago with a statue in the main square where late-night revellers would throw underwear and other items onto his outstretched finger, so much so that the council had to raise the plinth by several feet.