CHAIRMAN Bill Bolsover has put an end to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future in the city by insisting a condition of any sale would not allow Warriors to be moved to another part of the country.
Bolsover had initially told the media at a press conference on Friday a move away from Sixways was ‘a long shot’, but a statement released on Monday by the club’s owners, Sixways Holdings Limited, clarified they would not consider selling Warriors to investors who would relocate the club.
The club announced it was up for sale in September amid mounting losses and is hoping to have a deal done by the end of the year.
Worcester’s reported total market value is £26.7million, which includes the club itself at £9.7million and the 50-acre Sixways site, valued at £17million.
Long-time benefactor Cecil Duckworth stepped back from his involvement with the club a decade ago, but still remains part of a six-man board as club president with Sixways Holdings Limited, which also includes CEO Gus Mackay, Bolsover, Greg Allen, John Crabtree, Anthony Glossop and Dave Allen.
Bolsover said: “Last week I was able to reassure supporters it was highly unlikely a new owner would relocate the club.
“I can now confirm that selling the club to investors who might want to move it away from Worcester is not something that Sixways Holdings Limited would consider.
“The West Midlands is the prime location for the club to continue to engage and grow what is already a strong support-base in the area.
“Sixways Hol-dings Limited has invested significantly in the current facilities and will not risk the future stability of the club by allowing it to be moved to another part of the country.”
Warriors, who sit bottom of the Aviva Premiership having lost all seven matches in the current campaign, are also searching for a new director of rugby after Gary Gold announced in October he is to leave at the end of the season to become head coach of the USA.
Gold is currently in South Africa on extended leave, with Alan Solomons running the side at first team level until Gold returns for next Saturday’s Premiership match against Northampton Saints.
“It’s very important we try to create stability, therefore we would certainly be looking for a minimum of a three-year contract with anyone,” Bolsover added.
“It takes anyone at least three years to get you to where you want to be. We believe a long-term contract with a director of rugby can get us the traction we need.
“It’s important to get a person who is a right fit for us as a club. With the applications that have come in, we have a complete diverse range of styles. We’re amazed with the response.
“They might come from anywhere in the world, but we would expect them to live near the ground, that’s important to us.”
The deadline for applications closes on Friday.