Worcester City: Former non-league big boys find a new home
- Published
Worcester City's new home has the cones out already
Worcester City have finally found a new permanent home on the outskirts of the city at Fernhill Heath - 10 years on from leaving their long-time former home at St George's Lane.
The ninth-tier Midlands Premier side play currently at Claines Lane, close to the site of their proposed new home.
That followed rental agreements at Aggborough, Kidderminster Harriers' home, and Victoria Ground, Bromsgrove.
The new home will be known as the Worcestershire Community Sports Park.
There is no official timescale as to when the ground might be ready for use, but fans are to be invited to attend a public consultation and exhibition in January.
The club were once a major non-league force, having been founder members of the original Alliance Premier, now the National League, when the first English non-league pyramid was created in 1979.
But they suffered financial woes and, when the sale of the ground - after 108 years at St George's Lane - did not raise sufficient money to fund a proposed new base at Nunnery Way on the south side of the city, were forced to groundshare.
Worcester City's last game at their old St George's Lane home was a 1-0 defeat by Chester in April 2013
City spent three seasons at Aggborough from 2013 to 2016, then a further four at Bromsgrove, from 2016 until 2020.
They then returned to the northern outskirts of the city when they moved to a pitch next to the newly built Worcestershire Football Association headquarters at Claines in 2020.
They currently sit second in the Midlands Premier table, looking for promotion to the Southern League, having lost only once this season under their manager, former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Chris Cornes.
The club, working in partnership with Worcester-based Marsten Developments, aim to create a "multifaceted, community sports and leisure facility" on the proposed Hurst Lane site, close to the M5, just to the north of the city's dual-carriageway A449 bypass.
It is only two miles up the road from Sixways, home of fallen rugby club Worcester Warriors, where Worcester City Women are one of the current tenants.
Stennard Harrison, managing director of Marsten Developments (left), and Worcester City owner Simon Lancaster at the proposed new Fernhill Heath home
Marsten Developments managing director Stennard Harrison said: "Our master plan prioritises sustainability, incorporating green infrastructure and connection with pedestrian, cycle and public transport routes.
"It proposes a mix of sports pitches, green amenity, eco homes and extra care facilities. It also includes a cricket pitch, community building, and very importantly, a new permanent home for Worcester City Football Club."
City owner Simon Lancaster said: "Worcester City Football Club has a rich history dating back to 1902. We envisage an integrated future at the core of the Worcestershire Community Sports Park.
"This central hub is designed to accommodate the club's 22 existing teams and foster growth at all levels.
"The project addresses the void left since the club's departure from St George's Lane in 2013, with the aspiration to meet National League North/South standards and secure a sustainable and prosperous future."
The most famous day in Worcester City's history was their FA Cup third-round win over then second division Liverpool at St George's Lane in January 1959.