THE FORMER governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mervyn King, has been named as Worcestershire’s new president.
Lord King, who is a long term patron of the county and passionate supporter for more than 50 years, will take on the role for the club’s 150th anniversary in 2015.
He replaces John Elliott who described the appointment as “a wonderful decision and a great name to be associated with the cricket club.”
Lord King said he was keen to play an active role in what would be a landmark year for Worcestershire and predicted “exciting times ahead” with the major redevelopment of New Road in the past decade and the young, talented squad which has earned promotion to Division One in the Championship.
“It is a great honour to be asked to serve as President of Worcestershire County Cricket Club,” he said.
“My youth was spent at New Road watching the first Worcestershire side to win the County Championship exactly fifty years ago.
“With the 150th anniversary next year, there is much to celebrate in our history and the future is even brighter.
“Today’s team of talented young players, and the redevelopment and transformation of the facilities at New Road, promise exciting times ahead.”
Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale said: “He is passionate about cricket, passionate about the club and is keen to play an active role.
“To have someone of Mervyn’s stature and reputation involved with the cricket club will only be beneficial as we go into our 150th anniversary and long term going forward.”
Former Worcestershire wicket-keeper Elliott, who also spent eight years as Club Chairman, said: “I think it is a wonderful decision. He is a very passionate supporter of Worcestershire. He has a lot to offer. Already he’s on the phone and emailing two or three times a week.
“But he will be around on the cricket circuit as well and is going to help with our fund-raising for the 150th anniversary year. It’s a great name to have associated with the club, brilliant.
“I’ve been to his office for lunch twice and he has got a cricket ball there on the desk from when he got five wickets playing for the Bank and an Aston Villa football sign on the other side.
“He’s passionate about Worcestershire and Villa. He’s followed the county for a long time and he loves meeting and talking about ex players like Roy Booth, Norman Gifford etc.”
