MANAGER John Snape lauded Worcester City’s pre-season homecoming after another friendly with Worcester Raiders was announced.

The nomadic club played in the city for the first time since 2013 in a 4-0 friendly victory at Claines Lane, home of West Midlands (Regional) League outfit Raiders, last July.

The match attracted approximately 780 fans, prompting both clubs to seek a repeat on Saturday, July 14 (3pm).

“It is excellent to have the Raiders game set up and we would like to thank everyone there for helping,” said Snape.

“We are looking forward to playing in city. It means a great deal to a lot of people, including the Worcester-based lads we have in the squad.

“Hopefully, we will see another bumper crowd and show people just how much we need both teams playing in the city.”

It is one of two changes to City’s warm-up schedule with the Raiders match replacing a trip to Shawbury United.

On Tuesday, July 24, City will now visit Bewdley Town instead of Cradley Town, while the vacant home slot on Saturday, July 28 has been filled by Southern League Central outfit Stratford Town.

“The changes were just down to availability but we are happy with the fixtures we have. There is a nice balance for our preparations,” said Snape.

The opening two fixtures on the same day at Malvern and Dudley will both be contested by a mix of the senior and under-21 teams.

SCHEDULE: Saturday, July 7 Malvern Town FC (a) and Dudley Town (a) both 3pm, Saturday, July 14 Worcester Raiders (a) 3pm, Saturday, July 21 Redditch United (a) 3pm, Tuesday, July 24 Bewdley Town (a) 7:45pm, Saturday, July 28 Stratford Town (h) 3pm, Tuesday, July 31 Stourbridge FC (h) 7:45pm.