WORCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club suffered a loss, after taxation, last year of £25,882 - their first deficit in 18 seasons.

Details of the financial downturn are revealed in the County's statement of accounts, which will be presented to New Road members at their annual meeting next month.

Worcestershire treasurer Peter Seward said today: "This is our first deficit in 18 seasons, so the result is disappointing.

"However, while it is of no direct comfort to us, I am sure our results are better than many counties will be able to report for last season.

"Subscription income at £304,550 showed an increased on the 1999 figures and confirmed the bedrock importance of this contribution from our members.

"The surplus of £227,989 generated by our commercial department is the best produced by the club. I'm pleased that our expenditure generally was well controlled and in some areas, such as administration and match expenses, was below budget for last year's figures.

"After a long period of reporting surpluses I would have preferred to be able to do the same for 2000.

"But, in what has been a difficult year financially throughout the first-class game, I feel we can take heart from the fact that in areas such as membership and our commercial activities we have increased our income and, by good budgeting and house-keeping, we have controlled our expenditure sensibly."

Worcestershire generated income of £2,099,653, but the club attribute their deficit, in part, to a wet summer with several days play lost and poor results in the later rounds of home matches.

Seward said: "The next two seasons promise to be equally difficult financially for the first-class game as a whole, but successful Test series against Pakistan and Australia, more success on the field for the County and more seasonal weather, will help us significantly in returning to the positive financial results we have enjoyed in recent seasons."

Meanwhile, Mike Jones is to be nominated to succeed Roy Booth as Worcestershire's president at next month's annual meeting.

Jones, who retired recently from the committee, chaired the County's cricket committee from 1981 to 1994.

Betty Godfrey and Pat Mills, president and secretary respectively of Worcestershire Supporters' Association, are to be nominated as vice-presidents of the club.