COMMUNITY ownership is the “way forward” for Worcester City as the club’s bosses and supporters’ trust agree to “work together”.

After a long-running spat over City’s future direction trust secretary Rob Crean said it was the “first time in a long time” the two groups were “singing from the same hymn sheet”.

The trust’s plans to make the National League North outfit a community-owned club had previously faced opposition from the board.

However, City’s chairman Anthony Hampson is now behind the move, admitting it would make it “easier” to generate money for the proposed 4,419-capacity stadium at Perdiswell.

The latest twist comes after the trust held a “very positive” meeting with Hampson and his directors.

“We all agreed we all need to work together to make sure of the long-term viability of the club so we cleared a few things up,” Crean said.

“There was not anything wrong but we hadn’t communicated as much as we should have done so we wanted to get together and see where we are and what we need to do next.”

The trust believe becoming a Community Benefit Society (CBS) would help raise the capital for the proposed new ground and boost negotiations with Worcester City Council to use the land at Perdiswell Park.

Their bid to change the club’s constitution was scuppered following an unsuccessful shareholders’ vote in the summer.

But with the trust’s stadium application, which was submitted to the council in April 2014, nearing a decision Crean said City’s chiefs were now prepared to look at the ownership model.

“To be fair the club always said they would consider it more closely when the planning application was nearly through and we are almost at that point now,” Crean continued.

“The club did what they needed to do so they looked at alternatives and did the due diligence. But we have all agreed community ownership is the way forward.

“We have been saying that for a long time but they have realised it is the answer. So we can start discussing it together rather than doing it separately.

“We got a lot done at the meeting and agreed it would be a great idea to get something formerly on the calendar to make sure we can sit down, talk and try to move things on.

“For the first time in a long time we are singing from the same hymn sheet and have got a way to go forward which is very positive and encouraging.”

Earlier this month City’s board announced they were expecting to make a “significant loss” this year as they continue to struggle in exile after leaving St George’s Lane in 2013.

All players have been put up for transfer and Hampson said they were keen to “ring-fence” money to give Worcester, who play at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground, the best chance of survival.

“We wholeheartedly support the Perdiswell planning application and understand this will be heard either in April or May,” Hampson said.

“Most football clubs live on pipe dreams and that is why we are ring-fencing as much money as we can so there will be a reasonable amount of funding available.

“It is easier to raise funds to build new stadiums if you are a community-owned club that would effectively allow an asset transfer from the council.

“The political will is relatively split so we will have to put our story out there and persuade people it will be a good community atmosphere for the club moving forward.”