MARTIN Pinches launched an impassioned defence of his fellow directors on the back of another twist to Worcester City’s off-field saga.

Development chief Mark Wilcox yesterday stood down from the board after more than six-and-a-half years with a club statement citing “work and family commitments”.

The news broke four days after Worcester City Council officers released a report which described as an “unrealistic option” the homeless club’s plans to build a new stadium at Parsonage Way.

But Pinches insisted Wilcox’s exit had not been related to the report and lauded his efforts in building up City’s youth structure.

“It is a family issue and the statement sent out is exact and correct,” said Pinches.

“He has done a fantastic job with the youth set-up and is staying on with them and the reserves.

“The amount of work and effort that bloke puts into the kids’ football and Worcester City is absolutely phenomenal. I could not do it.”

The Worcester News has been attempting to speak with chairman Anthony Hampson and Wilcox, who is understood to have played an integral part in negotiations over the potential ground, since Friday but both remain unavailable for comment.

Addressing the report in its closing paragraph, the statement read: “The recent setback at Parsonage Way provides yet more expensive frustration for the club with as yet still no alternative in sight. The search will continue.”

Asked whether the “search” referred to an alternative site or solutions to the problems highlighted at Parsonage Way, Pinches said he had not been directly involved in discussions with stakeholders but remains confident City will find a way to return to Worcester.

“This is an ongoing battle, it has not just been in the past five years,” he added.

“All the people involved with the club have been trying to work with the council for the past 30 years to get us an alternative site. This problem has not just occurred.

“I have had nothing to do with the discussions and been to none of the meetings. What I have seen is exactly what others have.

“We are in a catch 22. We have been liaising with the council and will continue to, we have not sat on our backsides and done nothing, we have tried to pursue other avenues.

“Things are never straightforward, things take time and I am sure we will try to get an outcome where Worcester City can come back home.

“Where that is, who it is with, I couldn’t honestly tell you but that is the main aim for the people on the board.”

With cash dwindling and no new ground on the horizon, criticism of the board has intensified but Pinches, whose family business will sponsor the club for a 15th season in 2018-19, reiterated Hampson’s past calls for unity.

“If we didn’t think it was viable, we would not be main sponsor again,” he added.

“We are a Worcester business that wants to put back something into the city. That’s why we are doing it.

“The fight carries on. All we want is a few more people on board to carry that fight.

“If anyone out there wants to get involved, we would be more than happy to welcome them. If anyone has anything constructive to bring to the party, we will listen.”

Asked whether that included Worcester City Supporters’ Trust, Pinches replied: “There are no winners or losers, we are all in it together.

"If we could have got a lease from the council, Perdiswell (the stadium option being pursued by the trust) would have been fantastic.

“Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be that commitment at the moment so we had to look elsewhere with the council who have been very supportive.

“They have helped us and put forward suggestions. Planning is very difficult, there are always hurdles but we will keep working with the council to find a solution.

“I know a lot of shareholders and have always said to come to see me if they’re unhappy with anything.

“I don’t know it all but I am happy to tell people what I can. I don’t have any skeletons in the cupboard or ulterior motives, we are here because we are born and bred in Worcester and I have played football locally all my life.

“If other businesses or people were as committed as we are, I’m sure we would be in a better place."

Hampson, vice-chairman Colin Layland and Pinches are City’s three remaining directors.