RON Headley wants to become Worcestershire County Cricket Club's new coach.

The former New Road star batsman has contacted the County with a view to taking over from Bill Athey.

Headley has turned down the position of director of cricket at Stourbridge Cricket Club to enable him to throw his hat into the ring for the vacant Worcestershire role.

He is currently director of coaching at Birmingham League club Stourbridge.

Headley says he has applied to Worcestershire cricket committee chairman Martin Horton with regard to filling the vacancy. The 61-year-old said: "I've decided I don't want to be involved in the politics at Stourbridge. I want to focus on coaching there.

"If I get the Worcester job then it would be my job to find young players for the County and Stourbridge is a hotbed of talent."

Stourbridge chairman Gordon Smith said: "I would be surprised if he got the Worcester job because of the politics at the place, but he is a very good coach and knows cricket from A to Z."

Headley has already brought in two former County players to Stourbridge with David Banks as captain and Gavin Haynes as vice-captain.

Stourbridge-born Haynes quit New Road last season because of a knee injury.

Tom Moody, another former New Road star, has also said he wants the job as does former coach David Houghton.