THE city council’s deputy leader has issued a plea for the football club to return to Worcester - and has revealed he wants fresh talks over a solution.

Councillor Geoff Williams said he wants Worcester City FC to find a new home as quickly as possible, and has even suggested the authority is sitting on “various pieces of land” which could help.

The Labour politician, who is also cabinet member for economic prosperity, says he would be “prepared to talk to the club about their future needs”.

His rallying call raises the prospect of the land at Bilford Road, in Perdiswell, being contemplated as a serious location for the project.

Back in January the football club’s supporters trust revealed its own proposals for a 4,130 capacity stadium on the site, which is council-owned.

The authority did have talks with the trust over the proposal but no planning application was ever submitted.

Land next to it is being lined up for a major new swimming pool, which could cost up to £13.5 million.

The city council is also looking to market the current swimming pool facility at Sansome Walk for alternative development within the coming weeks, although it is earmarked for housing.

Coun Williams said: “The city council owns various pieces of land around the city and will be prepared to talk to the club about their future needs.

“We believe a successful football club adds to Worcester's sporting and cultural life.”

The council’s managing director Duncan Sharkey helped facilitate the talks between Worcester City and St Modwen which led to the club being released from the Nunnery Way contract.

Mr Sharkey’s intervention came after it became apparent the deal could see the club go bust because of a looming sizeable six-figure capital gains tax bill.

As your Worcester News reported yesterday, it does mean the club faces paying St Modwen a substantial six-figure fee for work already done on the defunct Nunnery Way project, although it can now finally look elsewhere for a new home.