Shirley Close Residents Association, in Evenwood, has given £370 each to the village’s cricket and football clubs.
Former parish councillor Arnold Smith was part of the association and used to look after the funds before he died in April last year aged 84.
The group stopped meeting 20 years ago but still had more than £700 left in its old account.
Mr Smith’s widow, Beryl, said her husband had always intended to give the money away but never got round to it.
Mrs Smith said: “He always wanted it to go to the football and cricket club.
“Arnold wasn’t a big cricket fan – he was more of a football fan. He always thought about the village because he was born here.”
Mrs Smith made an account at the bank to withdraw the money so it could be passed on to the clubs.
The manager of Evenwood FC, Chris Geddes, said the donation came as a welcome surprise.
He added: “We were over the moon and delighted – it will keep us afloat for another six months hopefully with new footballs and bags.
“New balls can be £30, £40 or £50 so it’s bailed us out a little bit.”
During its life, the residents association gave £500 each to the schools in Evenwood and Ramshaw as well as funding the path from Shirley Close to Newholme Crescent.
Mr Smith was also a chairman of Teesdale District Council and sat on Evenwood parish council for more than 30 years.
He became caretaker of the village community centre after working at Shildon Railway Works for the best part of three decades.
Billy Teesdale, from Evenwood Cricket Club, remembered Mr Smith as a “great guy”.
He said: “He was just a tremendous bloke. He backed us 100 per cent as he did all sport in Evenwood.”
Club secretary Luke Bannister was thrilled with the £370 donation and also paid tribute to Mr Smith.
“I think it’s a lovely gesture,” he added.
“I didn’t know him personally but from what I have been told, he did his absolute best for Evenwood and you cannot say any more than that.”
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