New ground to put City on the map (From Worcester News)

New ground to put City on the map

6:00am Wednesday 22nd October 2008 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN #WENsport

WORCESTER City chairman Dave Boddy believes a new stadium will help raise the club’s profile on the city’s sporting map.

The Blue Square South club yesterday unveiled their designs for a new 6,000-capacity ground to be built by St Modwen as part of a £30m development at Nunnery Way.

It is planned to be constructed in three stages, with the first phase costing £5million and featuring a 2,000-seater covered main stand and 1,200-capacity covered terrace as well as a club shop and conference facilities.

The next two stages, taking the stadium from Blue Square Premier to Football League standard, will be built with funds generated through the enabling development.

Worcester is one of the few cities of its size not to have a team among the 92 professional clubs and Boddy wants to see that change.

He said: “St George’s Lane has been there for over 100 years and the vision is that Nunnery Way is going to be there for the next 100 years. It is the only way to take the club forward. It’s important if the club is going to thrive that the stadium is built to give it that chance.

“The rugby club has got a magnificent facility, the county cricket ground is seen as one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world.

“With other sports such as basketball and the racecourse then football is a major part of the city and needs a facility to match that.”

He added: “Without getting too excited, we are delighted with the start we have had to this season and I think it’s fair to say that the club’s aim is to be in the play-offs at the end of the season.

“With some good fortune, we could actually be in the Blue Square Premier by the time we move into the new stadium.”

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