THE COST of playing at Sixways “may be too high” for cash-strapped Worcester City, admits chairman Anthony Hampson.

A groundshare with Worcester Warriors appeared to be a possibility when Hampson confirmed he had “held discussions” with the Aviva Premiership outfit.

Many supporters had also backed a potential move, while Warriors’ chief executive Jim O’Toole said he could “see the benefits”.

However, Hampson insisted the board have to be “realistic” as they look to keep the Vanarama National League North strugglers alive.

“Nothing would be nicer than to play at the Worcester Warriors facility,” he said.

“It is a fabulous facility, but there would be a cost.

“We have to be realistic and at the moment that cost may be too high for the club in order for it to maintain its long term viability.”

City agreed a two-year deal to play at Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Ground from the start of the season after three years at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough base.

But the Blue and Whites have been losing money since bringing the curtain down on 108 years of football at St George’s Lane in 2013.

Hampson said their losses had been “cushioned” by their exploits in the FA Cup, reaching the second round in 2014 and first round a year later.

However, he admitted they were finding it “much harder” this season and have recently put all players up for transfer in a bid to cut costs.

Managerless City are third from bottom, two points adrift of safety and on a run of 13 league matches without a win.

“For the past two years the losses have been cushioned by our two cup runs,” Hampson said.

“This season it has been much harder.

“No loss is manageable, they are not palatable and we will lose money - there is no question about that.

“We are going hammer and tongs until the end of the season and we will be staying up if we can.”