Worcestershire County Cricket Club are delighted to announce that Paul Pridgeon has today accepted his role as the Club’s new President, taking over from Phillip Neale OBE, on a two-year term.
He will assume the position of President after Phillip Neale successfully completed his two-year tenure that began back in 2024.
His position will be confirmed at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 26th March, subject to Member’s Approval.
Paul’s affiliation with the club spans over 50 years, as player, Vice-President, and most recently an honorary life member.
Joining the playing staff as a 17-year-old following a successful trial period, Paul went on to enjoy a stellar playing career at New Road, that saw him go on to win three County Championship titles in 1974, 1988 and 1989 as well as two Sunday League titles in 1987 and 1988.
The seam bowler retired from professional cricket in 1989 with 530 first-class and 219 List A wickets to his name, before using his plethora of knowledge to help harness the next generation of Worcestershire superstars, a role that saw him work at Shrewsbury School and tighten links with his home county.
Among the list of players fast-tracked into the Worcestershire ranks under his guidance were former captain Joe Leach, Adam Finch, Jack Home and Harry Darley, as Pridgeon used his close relationship with the-then Worcestershire coaches Steve Rhodes and Damian D’Oliveira to maximise the talent on the books at New Road.
Pridgeon was a Worcestershire Board member for the maximum permitted spell of nine years, Vice Chair for four years, and had a spell of Acting Chair whilst also founding the Cricket Steering Group of which he was Chair for four years.
Pridgeon expressed his pride in returning to the Club in a role where he hopes to add to his many fond memories.
“It is a massive honour to take the role as Club President. As a young boy from the Black Country, until accepting this role, over 50 years have passed, but my feelings towards the Club haven’t changed at all.
“My first game watching Worcestershire was at Dudley as a ten-year-old, which was 62 years ago now!
“I came on the playing staff at 17, in 1972, and enjoyed playing here for 18 years, where I had some incredible moments on the pitch. When I retired, I moved to work at Shrewsbury School, to try and continue passing on my knowledge and helping the next generation of players who held potential to possibly play for Worcestershire.
“I always wanted to help out and give back in any way I could, which then led me to join the board in 2013 in an advisory role, maintaining the link between the schools and the club, before I became vice-chair until 2022.”
Despite living in Shropshire, Paul has been regularly making the journey to watch matches at New Road, as well as further afield for 2nd XI fixtures.
Assuming the position of President from his former teammate and captain, Phillip Neale, Paul is very keen to continue his legacy with the Club in a very positive position.
“Phil’s contribution during his tenure has made it a hard act to follow. He threw himself right into everything and added a vast amount of experience and knowledge from his position.
“I know Phil very well from my playing days, he was my captain for a long period of time, and just as I did back then, I’ll be picking his brains over the coming months.
“The club is in a very exciting place, the best it’s been in for some time I believe. Financially, commercially and most importantly on the field, the culture and people around the whole organisation make it what it is.
“There are plenty of reasons to be excited and optimistic.
“Whether I am needed to sit down with the senior figures from the cricket side, or from a business perspective, like Ashley Giles, then I want to talk to them and see where and how I can make a difference.”
