WORCESTER City chiefs have warned ‘time is running out’ to save the exiled football club ahead of a major meeting to examine the way forward for the Blue and Whites.
A number of options will be presented to shareholders and Supporters Trust members next Thursday (November 28) in a bid to gauge support for the next steps in the fight to return the club to Worcester.
City have been in exile since the final whistle was blown at St George’s Lane in May 2013 with have ground shared with Kidderminster Harriers and at Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Ground since 2016.
The club has seen a possible return to Worcester at Perdiswell thrown out by planning chiefs, although the decision was overturned on appeal, while efforts to find another site in the city have so far proved fruitless.
Speaking to the Observer, club chairman Steve Goode said the outcome of the meeting would have a ‘signifcant impact’ on the club’s future.
“We want to speak openly and frankly to shareholders and supporters trust members about the work going on behind the scenes and for decisions to be made to ensure the club is a viable business in the long term,” he said.
“As a fan-owned club it’s up to the fans to guide us where they want to go.
“We really need the process speeding up, time is running out and we need a decision about the way forward and that’s why this meeting is so important to steer our decision-making.
The City chief admitted he was in discussions with local councillors about the situation including council leader Coun Marc Bayliss.
“I know there are a lot of things going on in this world which are more important than a football club but I think local politicians should look at the local facilities and do what is best for Worcester,” he said.
“They all seem to want us to get back to Worcester but those are words at the moment and hopefully we can go a bit further.”
“When I became chairman 15 months ago I firmly believed things would move along a lot quicker than they have,” Mr Goode added.
He revealed he hoped the city and the wider football community would pull together to ensure the historic club had a future.
“Everyone loves football, it’s our national sport and I firmly believe Worcester should have its own football team,” he added
The meeting will be held at New Road’s The View from 7.30pm next Thursday. Supporters who are not shareholders or trust members can sign up for £10 a year.
Visit www.worcestercityfcst.co.uk/join-the-trust for more.
