JOHN Stuck admits his Tendring Sports Personality Award came as a “complete shock”.

The 71-year-old won the coveted male sports personality category but was unable to attend the prize-giving at Clacton Town Hall.

Stuck has played club cricket in the area, mainly for Clacton, for more than 50 years.

The batsman wicketkeeper played Minor Counties cricket for Suffolk and is just back from Australia, where he represented England Over-70s in three 50 overs a side Test matches.

“I was delighted to win the award,” he said.

“It’s usually won by an aspiring athlete, who has potential to progress to international fame, so it was a complete surprise.

“I was just disappointed that I was unable to be present to receive the award.”

Stucky, as he is known, has also represented Suffolk Over-50s, Essex Over-60s and Over-70s.

Most of his club cricket was with Clacton, but last season he also turned out for Frinton’s third team in the Two Counties Championship, as well as Long Melford.

It is doubtful whether Stuck’s senior career statistics can be matched by any other club cricketer in the country as he has played 3,102 matches, scoring 108,158 runs, at an average of 48.65.

He has also hit 192 centuries and 703 half-centuries.