CHAIRMAN Kevin Jenkins fears the poor turnout for Worcester Raiders’ clash with Worcester City could have a “crippling” effect on the club’s finances.

Organisers anticipated a crowd of more than 1,000 supporters at Claines Lane last Saturday — but were shocked to see only 230 show up as Raiders crashed to an 8-1 defeat.

Jenkins admitted the club had pinned their hopes on the money generated from the Worcester derby after securing £1,106.50 last year when almost 800 people flooded through the gates.

But the low attendance this time around left them with a paltry profit of £285 and Jenkins said they would now have to find other ways to keep themselves on an even keel.

“The day ran smoothly and there were no major issues with the neighbours,” he said.

“As always it was well organised but financially it could be crippling.

“With the cost of the extra portable toilets and the fencing that we hired we came away with £285 in profit. It was quite deflating to be honest.

“Our licensed bar that we had running only broke even as well. On the plus side we have still got lots of alcohol left over which we can sell during the season so we will make money gradually.

“All our volunteers and the people that helped out did a fantastic job but I am really disappointed with the turnout.

“We expected more than what we got last year but when I counted there was only 230. It feels like a kick in the teeth.”

Jenkins said the club may consider charging fans to watch games in West Midlands League Division One next season to gain much-needed funds.

“We had pinned all our hopes on that City game but we will find a way to survive,” Jenkins said.

“I think we will struggle through the season because we rely on that money but we have just got to drum up some sponsorship to help us.

“We are planning on charging £2 to come and watch our matches this year whereas usually it’s free.

“We need to be viable. We can’t run it as a loss.”

Jenkins said speculation had circulated that Worcester City’s Supporters’ Trust discouraged fans from going to the friendly due to their lack of involvement in the game.

But trust director Richard Widdowson, who helped stage the match last year, rubbished the claims.

“We would definitely not tell people not to go to a game,” Widdowson said.

“Personally, if we were involved in it we wouldn’t have done it on a Saturday afternoon at 3pm as it is in the summer and people do other things.

“It would have been after work when people are looking for something to do.”

City assistant manager Ashley Vincent also blamed the timing of the match for the sparse crowd as it clashed with England’s third-place play-off with Belgium in the World Cup.

“Maybe some more people would have come and watched if it had been another time,” Vincent said.

“But ultimately we can’t control who comes to games and who doesn’t.

“What I will say is that Raiders were fantastic hosts. I know the manager (John Snape) is keen to have a good relationship with them.

“I thought the match was played in a really good spirit and we wish them all the best.”