WORCESTERSHIRE chairman Stephen Taylor has paid tribute to Steve Rhodes and David Leatherdale who are both celebrating 30 years service with the County.

Yorkshire pair Rhodes and Leatherdale both arrived at New Road in 1985 looking to establish themselves as first team players and played with distinction for two decades.

Rhodes became assistant coach to Tom Moody in 2005 but quickly was promoted to director of cricket mid-way through that season.

Leatherdale became commercial manager when he hung up his spikes in 2006 before eventually replacing Mark Newton as chief executive in 2010.

Taylor hailed the contribution of the duo who received a long service award during Friday’s Gala Evening at New Road.

Taylor said: “Who would have thought that two Yorkshiremen would rock up at New Road in 1985 and have such an impact on the club for the past 30 years.

“But I’m proud to say that is the case at Worcestershire CCC and I would like to pay tribute to the massive contribution of Steve Rhodes and David Leatherdale on and off the field for three full decades.

“Now they are both modest men and you never hear them talking about their own achievements with the County.

“But I think it is only fitting that what they have done at this great club for so long should be recognised.

“They both as passionate and care about Worcestershire as if they were born and bred in the county instead of being two young men of the north who came here looking to build first class careers in the game.

“Of course, it was shortly after the arrival of the pair of them, who would go onto be nicknamed Bumpy and Lugsy that Worcestershire would embark on one of the golden periods in their playing history.

“Back to back County Championship titles, back to back Sunday League titles, Lord’s One-Day final successes followed from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s.

“Worcestershire was suddenly the ‘in’ county - not only for superstars like Ian Botham and Graham Dilley.

Steve and David were really solid players, from whom you knew what you were going to get.”