A STALWART Herefordshire cricket official has announced he is standing down after 25 years.

Derek Hince's role as a match manager with Herefordshire County Cricket Club saw him oversee 386 competitive matches for the county, not including benefit, friendly and charity games.

The 77-year-old, who lives in Hereford, says he has received dozens of messages of support since making the announcement.

"I'm flabbergasted by the response to be honest," he said.

"My partner has had a big operation and I'm finding things difficult. The tenure for the role is three years which means I'll be 80 by the end of the new one."

His roles will be split between honorary secretary Ken Sharpe and cricket chairman, Ernie Morgan.

Hince's role took in well over 30 jobs including the arranging of catering, compiling the county yearbook and selling adverts for the scorecards.

Among the many tributes paid to him, perhaps the most poignant was from renowned cricketer, and former Herefordshire player, Peter Trego.

The Somerset all-rounder is good friends with Hince who he credits for turning his career around. The 34-year-old played for Herefordshire during the 2005 season and later re-joined Somerset, becoming part of a squad which consistently challenged for the County Championship title, along with limited-overs honours.

Trego was guest speaker at a Herefordshire Cricket Society talk at Hereford Rowing Club last week.

"He tells everyone that if it was not for me he would not be playing cricket," said Hince.

"He's a first-class speaker. Very amusing. He gave me a lot of stick but is a lovely bloke."

Hince's decision was broken to members during the club's AGM when president, Nick Nenadich, said it would "not be possible" to calculate the hours Hince has given up to arrange all the logistics that a season of cricket demands.

"His contribution has been huge," he said.

His comments were echoed by Mr Morgan.

Meanwhile, former Worcestershire opener Matt Pardoe has been confirmed as Herefordshire's new captain.

Vice-captain for the knockout one-day trophy is Ben Stebbings, while Will Barrett has the role for the three-day Championship campaign.

"Matthew has taken over from David Exall who has captained the side excellently for three years including helping to instil a magnificent team spirit into the team," said Sharpe.

Also mentioned during the AGM was the sad loss in the summer of club stalwart Ed Price, who died at the age of just 62.

"This season saw the loss of Ed Price, a pillar, in every respect, of the cricketing community, including the Minor Counties," added Sharpe.

"Ed’s energy and drive were enormous and both Herefordshire Cricket Ltd and ourselves will miss him terribly."