Former professional footballer turned prolific batsman Mike Broad is the first winner of a prestigious new award for players in the Dipple & Conway Opticians Norfolk Cricket Alliance.

The introduction of a player of the month competition by sponsors Dipple & Conway has added an exciting new dimension to the game for the hundreds of cricketers who compete in Norfolk's premier league competition.

Playing for Stow A in Division Four, Broad – who used to play for Burnley and Stockport – recorded scores of 98, 72 and 109 during May, helping his team to third place in the table. The victor said he was thrilled to be chosen as the inaugural winner. He was also delighted with the 'brilliant' pair of sportsman-orientated designer sunglasses he chose as a prize on a visit to the sponsor's Norwich practice.

Luke Caswell (Premier Division, Ashmanhaugh & Barton Wanderers), Phil King (Division Two, Great Witchingham A), Toby Fletcher (Division Three, Hardingham) and Liam Conroy (Division Three, Thetford) made the shortlist before the Alliance committee selected Broad.