CITY CHIEFS: WE’RE COMING HOME
WORCESTER City’s directors have vowed to bring the club home next season after seven years in exile – despite the many challenges faced by the coronavirus lockdown.
Without a ground of their home since their historic St George’s Lane stadium was sold for housing development in 2013, City, currently members of the Midland League Premier Division, have since shared at Kidderminster
Harriers and Bromsgrove Sporting.
Now they hope to move into the Worcestershire FA’s Claines Lane headquarters – already home to West Midlands (Regional) League outfit Worcester Raiders – in time for next season.
A statement from the club’s board said: “Covid-19 has brought about hugely challenging and uncertain times for all of us. Despite the current climate, our work goes on to bring Worcester City FC home for next season.
“We aim to finalise an agreement for our tenure at Claines Lane in due course. We have every confidence this will be completed soon.
“Many who have driven past the site at Claines Lane recently will have seen it quickly taking shape. We hold regular meetings with the Worcestershire FA to receive updates on the site’s progress and there are no concerns regarding its scheduled completion. There are no concerns that the ground will not be ready for us next season.
“It is desperately sad to see already numerous football clubs have folded because of the effect the Covid-19 pandemic has had on football outside the professional game. Fortunately, we are in a rather unique position where we have sufficient cash reserves to get the club through to next season largely unscathed.
“The club returning home to Worcester next season in a renovated facility will give us a new lease of life to kick on. Being based at Claines Lane will provide us with fertile ground for revenue building opportunities that were simply not possible whilst in exile.
“We have no concerns over the short to medium term viability of the football club provided income streams are maintained as planned.”