Worcester City please fans after announcing ambitious new stadium plans

Worcester City please fans after announcing ambitious new stadium plans with the aspiration to meet National League North/South standards.

The 9th tier club are looking to move to a new ground on the edge of the city – as part of a wider multi-million pound development ‘the Worcestershire Community Sports Park.’

This means Worcester, who currently at Claines Lane, close to the site of their proposed new home, finally found a new permanent home on the outskirts of the city at Fernhill Heath – 10 years after leaving their long-time former home at St George’s Lane.

They have also previously played ‘home matches’ at the likes of Kidderminster’s Aggborough, as well as Victoria Ground of Bromsgrove.

New Home – Joint Statement

Full details 👇https://t.co/CB2WztpMDd pic.twitter.com/mAUoV9EnVO

— Worcester City FC (@WorcesterCityFc) November 29, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

‘Exciting plans to be unveiled for Worcestershire Community Sports Park: Worcester City Football Club finds a new permanent home’

Exciting plans are set to transform Worcester’s sport and leisure landscape as Worcester City Football Club, in partnership with Marsten Developments, unveils visionary proposals for the ‘Worcestershire Community Sports Park’ in Fernhill Heath. The scheme is a significant milestone in the development of a multifaceted, community sports and leisure facility in the heart of Worcestershire, whilst significantly securing a permanent home for Worcester City Football Club.

The proposed Worcestershire Community Sports Park represents a comprehensive vision of sports and leisure facilities, designed to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike. Key features of this ambitious project include a state-of-the-art football pitch, a cricket pitch, a community building, housing options, retirement living facilities, and a range of other amenities.

Located at a strategically advantageous location at Hurst Lane, Fernhill Heath, Worcester, the site offers excellent connectivity for visitors and residents. Accessible via pedestrian, cycling, public transport, and vehicular routes, the site’s accessibility is further enhanced by the Salt Road line of the Worcester city bus network, ensuring easy access from the city centre and surrounding areas. Strong links to the M5 and A449, as well as proximity to national cycle network routes, further contribute to the site’s attainability.

Stennard Harrison, Managing Director of Marsten Developments 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.”

Simon Lancaster, owner of Worcester City Football Club 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.

“This proposal underscores a strong commitment to Worcester’s heritage, fans and the broader community. It embodies the club’s forward thinking spirit.”

Members of the public will be invited to attend a public consultation and exhibition in January 2024.

🤩 ‘It would be massive for us!’

⚽️ @WorcesterCityFc want to move to a new ground on the edge of the city – as part of a wider multi-million pound development.

👏It would be off Hurst Lane in Fernhill Heath – listen on BBC Sounds 🎧 https://t.co/OeFDjS6RC5 pic.twitter.com/xntSzz3GVJ

— BBC Hereford & Worcester (@bbchw) November 29, 2023

Worcester City currently sit 2nd in the Hellenic League Premier Division, with 41 points from 16 games played, sitting one point behind leaders Corsham Town – but have four games in hand over them.

They are still in the FA Vase, where the will take on Boston Town in the Third Round after beating AFC Bridgnorth (8-1), Rugby Borough (2-2, 5-4p), Sleaford Town (2-0) and Wolverhampton Casuals (3-1).

WORCESTER’S LEAGUE RECORD (SINCE 2020) (via FCHD)

SEASON    LEAGUE     P    W    D    L    F    A    P      POS

1999-00   SOUTH-P   42   13   11   18   60   66   50     15/22
2000-01   SOUTH-P   42   18    8   16   52   53   62      8/22
2001-02   SOUTH-P   42   16   12   14   65   54   60      8/22
2002-03   SOUTH-P   42   18   13   11   60   39   67      6/22
2003-04   SOUTH-P   42   18    9   15   71   50   63      5/22
2004-05   CONF-N    42   16   12   14   59   53   60      7/22
2005-06   CONF-N    42   16   14   12   58   46   62      8/22
2006-07   CONF-N    42   16   14   12   67   54   62      9/22
2007-08   CONF-N    42   14   12   16   48   68   54     12/22
2008-09   CONF-S    42   12   11   19   38   53   47     16/22
2009-10   CONF-S    42   10   10   22   48   60   40     20/22
2010-11   CONF-N    40   12   10   18   49   55   46     16/21
2011-12   CONF-N    42   18   11   13   63   58   65      7/22
2012-13   CONF-N    42   14    8   20   57   62   50     15/22
2013-14   CONF-N    42   13   11   18   40   53   50     15/22
2014-15   CONF-N    42   16   12   14   54   54   60      9/22
2015-16   NAT-N     42   12   12   18   55   61   48     17/22
2016-17   NAT-N     42    7   14   21   44   63   35     20/22
2017-18   MID-P     42   24   11    7   94   41   83      4/22
2018-19   MID-P     38   14   10   14   66   61   52     11/20
2019-20   MID-P     26   10    6   10   52   41   36     ABAND
2020-21   MID-P     12    2    4    6   14   21   10     ABAND
2021-22   MID-P     36   20    5   11   70   37   65      4/19
2022-23   MID-P     38    9    5   24   35   69   32     17/20

1902-03 Worcester Rovers and Berwick Rangers merged during the season and took over Berwick’s playing record and fixtures

1913-14 Birmingham & District League Champions

1924-25 Birmingham & District League Champions (2nd time), on goal average

1928-29 Birmingham & District League Champions (3rd time)

1929-30 Birmingham & District League Champions (4th time)

1931-32 Birmingham & District League runner-up, lost title on goal average

1932-33 Birmingham & District League runner-up

1933-34 Birmingham & District League runner-up

1938-39 Joined Southern League

1939-40 Southern League Western Section runner-up

1940-41 Returned to Birmingham & District League for wartime competition

1945 Rejoined Southern League after War

1946-47 1 point awarded for unplayed fixture at home to Millwall

1967 Relegated to Division One

1967-68 Southern League Division One Champions Promoted to Premier Division 1974 Relegated to Division One North

1976-77 Southern League Division One North Champions Promoted to Premier Division

1978-79 Southern League Champions Welsh Cup semi-finalists

1979-80 Founder members of Alliance Premier League

1985-86 Rejoined Southern League

1989-90 One point deducted

2004-05 Rejoined Conference (ex Alliance Premier League) in newly-formed Northern Division

2008-09 Switched to Conference South

2010-11 Switched back to Conference South

2015-16 Conference changed name to National League

2017-18 Joined Midland League

2023-24 Joined Hellenic League

As mentioned, Worcester City please fans after announcing ambitious new stadium plans…

@WCFCtoonbranch: Great news. The future is looking bright. Haven’t been in a position to say that too often in all the years I’ve supported City! #wcfc #KeepTheFaith Up the City! 🔵⚪️

@BellagioMarple: Encouraging – such a shame that past city council intransigence means that the club may have to be located in Wychavon, but ultimately progress has to be made.

@PMcness36427: Hope this is the start of a great new era for the club. Best wishes from a Kidderminster Harriers fan 😀🍐

@Navman42: Great news!

@alexgiles86: Fantastic news!

@JoeRoche1348094: Superb news 👍👏 City on the up!!

@FacesNBases: Amazing news. City deserves a great location again and it sounds like all the right considerations are being made. Bring on January.

@isaacsmaeleah17: Fantastic news, the city is blue ⚽️💙🤍

@andrew_wcfc: Incredible news, can’t wait to see the plans, finally going to own our own ground

@andrewstone85: What good news for the City!

David Houghton: i said from the 1st presentation night and i will continue saying it…. In Simon John Lancaster We Trust UTC

Simon Phillips: Great news shows the ambition of the club

Dave Green: Who is paying for the stadium….. who will own the stadium…… has planning permission already been granted…. will City be able to generate their own income??? on the face of it great news BUT need to see finer details first before getting too carried away

Steve Harper: Top news! Look forward to hearing more about the project, getting the local community engaged and offering new facilties is crucial. Let’s hope Wychavon district council are a little more to new projects…

Jack Hundley: I cannot wait! 🔵⚪🔵⚪

Ian Pardoe: This is great news, a new home, a cup run and amazing league form!! The future looks so positive!!

Leanne Gelder: Great news 😁

Adam Newton-Smith: Massive news

Graham Yapp: Fantastic, only way is up, UTC!!!

Leah Isaacs: Fantastic news, the city is blue ⚽️💙🤍

Shawn Shaka Cannaway: Amazing news well done all💙🤍⚽️