Outgoing Worcestershire president John Elliott has praised the "wonderful job" being done by Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes who completes 10 years in the post this summer.
Elliott believes the work of Rhodes, his coaching staff and the players is paying dividends as the county prepare for life back in Division One of the LV = County Championship after last year's promotion.
Speaking at last evening's AGM, Elliott said: "2014 was a wonderful year. We got promotion to the First Division of the Championship and reached the quarter-finals of the T20.
"That was an outstanding performance having lost a couple of players in the winter, including one very experienced quick bowler in Alan Richardson whom we were devastated to lose.
"With a very young side, we did tremendously well to put in the performances we did and I'd like to congratulate the players and Steve Rhodes and his coaching staff for all the hard work they put in.
"All their work is paying off dividends. Steve has been Director of Cricket for nearly 10 years and was an outstanding cricketer for many years for Worcestershire.
"I think he has developed into a first class Director of Cricket and coach and this is being shown with the players we are bringing through and are producing.
"He is very enthusiastic, enjoys lots of work, puts many hours in here and deserves the success he is bringing.
"He's had some tough years when members have not been very supportive but the board has always stood by him and I think we are having the best from him and he is doing a wonderful job for us."
Elliott first joined the county playing staff in 1959 and since 1980 has been involved as a committee member, chairman and president.
He said: "I've had a wonderful time. I've had some wonderful people to work with, some great chairman, some great secretaries and chief executives.
"I'd like to thank all those people that helped me through those years and I'm looking forward to watching cricket without a tie on!
"Since 1980 the club has developed and built many projects – the New Road Stand under Ducan Fearnley, the Basil D'Oliveira Stand when I was chairman, the Graeme Hick Pavilion when I was involved, and we finished up with our wonderful facility The View and hotel when Percy Price was chairman.
"We've come a long way. We've still got a beautiful ground, the cathedral is still there and it is still recognised as one of the most fantastic grounds in the world and the club is what it is today, a 365 days a year business.
"We can now look forward to developing the business and creating a profit to help with the funding of the players and the team which is the most important thing.
"My many thanks to Percy and all the board members for their comradeship when I was involved as chairman and as president.
"I'd like to thanks the members and supporters for all their support through those years. Without you, we wouldn't have a cricket club.
"I've had difficult times, had good days, bad days, but that's sport and you've got to learn to live with it."
