WORCESTER City chairman Anthony Hampson says the club will continue to make funds available for new players in a bid to avoid relegation.

Manager Carl Heeley has seen his budget increased this month, allowing him to bring in utility player Aaron Brown and striker Kristian Ramsey-Dickson, along with centre-half Jamie Grimes on loan.

The moves have had an immediate impact with City climbing out of the Skrill North bottom three following three consecutive victories.

There could also be another arrival before tomorrow's trip to Vauxhall Motors (3pm) with Heeley keeping tabs on several targets.

Hampson said: "At the start of the season, the club was faced with the uncertainties of the St Modwen contract hanging over us.

"As a result, we gave the club a limited playing budget with that in mind. Now, with that uncertainty gone and having had a reasonable cup run, we are in a position to be able to look to back the manager, strengthen the team and get the best from the squad for the business end of the term."

On top of £12,000 in prize money from a run to the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, the club have also been able to dip into cash raised by the weekly Gold Bond draw.

The Blackpool FC-run scheme, which offers prizes up to £2,000, brought in £44,300 during its first year.

That is a 44 per cent increase on Supergold, the programme it replaced, which only raised £30,700 during its final 12 months.

Attendances have also helped swell the coffers with around 50 per cent of gates up to December 31 not including holders of the £100 season ticket.

The club sold 500 of the cut-price tickets during the summer to raise revenue but not everyone who bought one comes to matches, meaning City are taking cash at the turnstiles.

Meanwhile, Hampson is hopeful of outlining plans for the long-term future of the club by the end of March.

Discussions over the supporters' trust's proposed new stadium at Perdiswell remain ongoing along with plans to make City a fans-owned club.

Hampson explained: "We are working with the trust and Worcester City Council. We keenly await the presentation of the trust’s proposals in the near future which we understand will also entail a change in the constitution. That would allow improved chances of grants and other streams of funding.

"We are hopeful of reporting progress in this direction by the end of March."

The club are still looking for agents to cater for the growing number of Gold Bond members. Anyone interested can call 01905-23003 or e-mail philwilliamson@hotmail.co.uk

Elsewhere, all Worcester City Council football pitches will be out of action again for the fifth consecutive weekend due to waterlogging.

The decision will affect McDonald's Worcester and District Football League and Mercian Festival Junior League fixtures.