MEMBERS will be asked to approve the appointment of Cecil Duckworth CBE as the new club president at Worcestershire’s AGM in the Graeme Hick Pavilion on March 20 at 7pm.

Norman Gifford MBE is standing down at the end of his maximum two-year term with the club’s nominations committee and board recommending Duckworth as his successor.

Duckworth played a major role in the signing of Australian paceman Glenn McGrath for the 2000 campaign and also aided significantly with the Basil D’Oliveira Stand's development.

He founded Worcester Engineering Company Limited in the early 1960s and introduced the first combination boiler in 1970 before selling the company to Bosch Group in 1992.

Duckworth became executive chairman of Worcester Warriors and helped the club to move through the divisions up to the English Premiership.

He has also set up several charities including the Worcestershire Duckworth Trust.

County chairman Fanos Hira said: “Norman has been an excellent president ­— not afraid to challenge thinking, a great ambassador for our club and the game.

"The board fully supports asking our members to admit Norman as an honorary life vice-president.

“Cecil, for those in the county, needs little introduction ­— a brilliant engineer and businessman and a keen supporter of the community and sport which extends well beyond the development of Worcester Warriors.

“Cecil has a strong association with Worcestershire CCC. The board is delighted that he has accepted this nomination.

"His efforts when John Elliot was chairman (1998-2006), resulted in not only the signing of McGrath but also the development of the Basil D’Oliveira Stand.”

Meanwhile, Paul Pridgeon will succeed his former team-mate Tim Curtis as the club’s vice-chairman at the AGM.

Pridgeon, who celebrated his 65th birthday last week, was part of the County squad that won the 1974, 1988 and 1989 County Championship titles.

He picked up 530 first-class wickets with a best return of 72 in 1983 and 219 List A victims during his career.

Pridgeon has since played a key role in charge of the County’s satellite academy at Shropshire and as a coach at Shrewsbury School.

He has overseen the initial development of several of the first-team squad including skipper Joe Leach, Ed Barnard, Ollie Westbury and Dillon Pennington.

Staffordshire-born Pridgeon will also chair Worcestershire’s cricket steering group.

Curtis, a key figure in the 1988 and 1989 title triumphs, will retire at the AGM after serving the maximum nine years as a board director.

Hira said: “Tim is hugely impressive on and off the pitch. He has greatly assisted the club, especially leading the cricket steering committee over the last year.

“We look forward to his continued club involvement.

“I am delighted that Paul agreed to be vice-chairman and also to chair the steering group.

“As a former Worcestershire player and coach at Shrewsbury School, Paul is an excellent source of cricket expertise for the Board.”

Pridgeon said: “Having spent 18 years at this great club as a player and helping to produce players for the club over a period of time, it is nice to be able to continue to put something back into the club and see things come to fruition.

“Hopefully the Vitality Blast success was the start of more success for the club and I’m really excited about the coaching structure and what we have on the playing front.

“I would also like to praise Tim for the superb job he has done during his time on the board and as vice-chairman.”