NEW chief executive Mark Newton has underlined the need for Worcestershire to gain first division status as quickly as possible.

During a Press conference at New Road yesterday, he said: "We must do whatever we can to help Tom Moody, Graeme Hick and the rest of the squad to secure first division status in both the County Championship and National League."

Worcestershire go into the forthcoming season in the second division of both competitions, having been relegated in the National League last season.

Forty eight year-old Newton, who takes over from retiring secretary Mike Vockins in June, said: "It's going to become increasingly important as the years go by to get into the first division.

"In the end the perception from spectators, members, sponsors and players is that it's a second division team."

Newton, who moves to New Road after being director of marketing for Yorkshire CCC, added: "I do have very strong views about cricket at international and county level, and particularly Worcestershire's level.

"It's a lovely ground, there's a large supportive base in the area, a tradition of very good crowd support and all we have got to do is optimise that so that Worcestershire can continue to employ the best cricketers.

"My technical expertise is not the cricket side, it's the commercial side and I think it's a very simple formula that we have to maximise those commercial resources.

"I know some supporters might hold their hands up when you hear those words, but in the end we have to do that to retain and secure the very best cricketers in the future."