COUNTY legend Norman Gifford was re-elected club president for a second term of 12 more months at Worcestershire's AGM.

Former skipper Gifford, who picked up 2,068 first-class wickets, paid tribute to the firsts for gaining promotion to Specsavers County Championship Division One.

He also highlighted the contribution of academy coach Elliot Wilson in helping to develop the conveyor belt of young talent at Blackfinch New Road.

Gifford said: “It has been a great honour to be president for the past year and I have loved every minute of it.

“We did brilliantly in the 50-over stuff. Joe (Leach, skipper) and Kevin (Sharp, new head coach) know we weren’t brilliant in the T20 but the Championship cricket was outstanding.

“We went into the last four games of the season needing to win two home matches. We did that and played some very good cricket.

“But for me the highlight of the season was going to fortress Trent Bridge to a very good side in Nottinghamshire and we played some of our best cricket in those four days.

“It was a brilliant result and it proved to you (County members), Joe and all the players that we deserved our position in Division One.

“It was a Division One performance and then we won our last game at Worcester without any problems.”

Gifford continued: “One of the enjoyments for me as president was going with Elliot to see some of the academy boys in action and there are some very talented young cricketers coming through.

“Elliot does a magnificent job and is to be congratulated for the work he does with our young cricketers.”

Worcestershire chairman Stephen Taylor and head of audit Fanos Hira were re-elected as non-executive additional directors for 2018-2019 at the AGM.

Ex-County paceman and satellite academy coach Paul Pridgeon was re-elected to serve another three-year term as a board member.

Andrew Manning Cox, who has played a key role in changes to the club’s rules and constitution, will join the board from May 7.

Former County opening batsman Gordon Lord was elected to serve as a replacement director for Neal Radford.

Richard Law, who was a senior partner of national property consultancy Bruton Knowles, will also join the board.