Newton is hoping to name a new sponsor for Worcestershire shortly

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton says this winter has been his hardest in 21 years in the game.

Newton told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "This is probably the worst year I have known since I've been involved in the game since 1988.

"A number of sponsors both nationally and locally have pulled out."

Worcestershire's own main sponsor, Apollo 2000, who had supported the county for over 10 years, went out of business earlier this month.

And, although Newton reveals that Worcestershire are close to announcing a new sponsorship deal, he admits that the current financial climate is not good.

"That is not because of cricket," said Newton, who worked both with both Surrey and Yorkshire before coming to New Road in 2001. "The game has had good TV exposure. It is because of the situation.

"Some companies have gone. Others do not have a single penny to spare.

I know of rugby clubs and football clubs who are losing sponsors and they are going to be spending the summer looking for new sponsors for next year Mark Newton

"I would be very surprised if we reached the revenue levels we did last season."

Newton believes other sports are going to suffer as well.

"It's the winter season for football and rugby at the moment. Most of the deals would have been done before the recession set in.

"I know of rugby clubs and football clubs who are losing sponsors and they are going to be spending the summer looking for new sponsors for next year."

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