LANCASHIRE League umpire Bernard Reidy has spoken of his pride after he was picked to officiate in a Minor Counties showpiece at Lord’s next week.

The former Lancashire all-rounder and league stalwart will stand in the Minor Counties Trophy final between Hertfordshire and Berkshire at the home of cricket on August 25.

And Reidy, who started and finished his playing career with Enfield, cannot wait for the big occasion.

“I am really looking forward to it,” he said. “It is the pinnacle of a player’s career to play at Lord’s and it is the same for an umpire.

“I have been doing the minor counties for a couple of years now and obviously I am doing something right.

“They phoned me and asked if I would be available for the one-day final and I had no hesitation in accepting.”

Reidy is relishing a return to the game’s HQ having played there during his Lancashire career.

“I know most of the First Class umpires will have played there but I suppose it is strange for a Minor Counties umpire to do it.

“I feel privileged to get the call and I am looking forward to a good game of cricket. It is an achievement and an honour.”

From 1973 to 1982, Reidy served Lancashire well, scoring 3,641 first-class runs .

And following his retirement from the first class game he turned out for Cumberland before finishing at Dill Hall Lane and then taking up the white coat.

And he could be officiating in a good game as both Hertfordshire and Berkshire had convincing wins in their semi-final matches.

Each team has won the final on one occasion. Berkshire won the MCCA Trophy in 2004, but Hertfordshire have to go back to 1984 when they won the then named EIE Trophy at Fenner’s.