Step into new future of Worcestershire Cricket coverage with King Pears
Worcestershire fans will have a new go-to outlet for independent coverage of their club in 2026.
King Pears, dedicated to in-depth and intelligent reporting and analysis, is set to launch on March 1, powered by CounterPress.
The site will be run by three experienced and knowledgeable figures from the world of cricket journalism: Paul Edwards, Brian Halford and Aaron Viles.
Edwards is widely regarded as one of the finest county cricket writers on the circuit, and can be regularly read in The Times and The Cricketer.
Halford, author of 10 books on cricket and football, has reported on cricket, principally in the West Midlands, for regional and national newspapers and radio for 26 years.
Over the past five years, Viles has been establishing a reputation as an energetic emerging presence in cricket journalism, and can often be heard commentating on various county livestreams up and down the country.
Between them, the trio are planning extensive and broad coverage - from insight into current events at New Road to nostalgic features and colourful interviews.
Edwards said: “It is hardly a secret that Worcestershire is one of my favourite clubs, not least because many of the kindest and most knowledgeable people in the game have played for the Pears or still work at New Road. I was only too delighted to seize this opportunity to cover the county in more depth.”
Halford said: “Worcestershire is a great club with a terrific, loyal support-base and I am very much looking forward to working with Paul and Aaron to provide entertaining, insightful and innovative content for those supporters.
“Cricket-lovers across the country deserve far better than the vestigial coverage left by the bizarre retreat from county cricket of much local media. We aim to help fill that void for the Pears' supporters.”
Viles said: “I can't wait to get the 'Kings Pears' project underway. As a proud West Midlands native, I'm incredibly keen to shine a greater spotlight on the people, grassroots clubs and iconic moments that have turned Worcestershire into the county outfit that we see today.
“The opportunity to work alongside Brian and Paul is also an immense privilege and I'm extremely excited to showcase our wide breadth of content across both men's and women's cricket at the club heading into the summer of 2026.”
Worcestershire supporters can register their interest in becoming a King Pears member right now via www.kingpears.news. Everyone who joins the mailing list before the March 1 launch will be entitled to a substantial membership discount.
King Pears is the ninth county outlet to be confirmed on CounterPress for 2026, as part of a concerted attempt to revitalise domestic cricket journalism.
Others already announced include The Rey (Surrey), Lanky Lanky (Lancashire), From The Sea End (Sussex), Cider Press (Somerset), Up The Middle (Middlesex), The Spitfire (Kent), and The Chester (Durham).
The Hawk, covering Hampshire, launched in the summer and continues to offer a service to supporters throughout the winter.
CounterPress co-founder Sam Morshead said: “Paul, Brian and Aaron bring a diverse collection of ideas, insights and experience to King Pears - and the site promises to be an asset to the Worcestershire community.
“We're delighted to be able to help power an outlet that gives a voice to a part of our summer game that is becoming increasingly marginalised.”
Be a part of change.
Sam Morshead
Co Founder
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