WORCESTERSHIRE boss Steve Rhodes believes Norman Gifford is ideally suited to be Worcestershire's next president. 

Gifford is taking over for the next two years from Lord King of Lothbury.

The 76-year-old will officially step into the role at the club's March annual general meeting.

Rhodes played against Gifford at county level in the 1980s and was coached by him on an England A tour.

Now the pair work in tandem as director of cricket and spin bowling coach respectively at New Road.

Rhodes said: "I couldn't think of a better president then Norman in the sense he is a real figurehead, a person who is passionate about the club and the ground and what it stands for.

"He understands the family of Worcestershire and he is a hands-on bloke.

"He will be around in the winter and the summer and is definitely a flag-bearer of what Worcestershire are all about.

"His playing record speaks for itself and now he is coaching our spinners and is also a good person.

"When you want these figureheads at the club in senior roles, you want good people and he is certainly one of them."