WORCESTER City will “walk into oblivion” if they do not become a community-owned football club.

That is the message from a group of City shareholders who will attempt to “force the hand” of the club’s board by showing them the support for the move.

Tomorrow when AFC Fylde visit Aggborough (3pm), Worcester City FC Supporters’ Trust will call on chairman Anthony Hampson and other directors to hold a special meeting where they will decide on the future.

The action comes after dozens of supporters unanimously backed the trust’s calls for change amid fears the National League North outfit, who have been playing in exile since 2013, could go bust within the next three years.

Earlier this month, City chiefs confirmed they would only consider adopting a fan-ownership model when the plans to build a 4,100-capacity ground at Perdiswell were heard by Worcester City Council planners.

However, at a fans’ forum organised by the trust at Archdales 73 Club, supporters and shareholders were told an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) must be held so a vote can be cast.

Trust director Rich Widdowson said making City a Community Benefit Society (CBS) would help them raise capital for the new ground and to negotiate with the council to use the land at Perdiswell.

“There are lot more funding streams out there if we become community-owned,” he said.

“Obviously, we have got to apply for grants and we are not guaranteed any of them but we are not going to get any of them if we stay as we are.

“So we can either go ahead with this very well thought-out plan or just keep our eyes closed and walk into oblivion. That’s the choice.”

Rob Crean, secretary of the trust, added: “We can’t wait until the end of the year to think about becoming community-owned or about raising money because by the time you have got anywhere near that it will be too late.

“Community ownership has got to be the way to go and we need to convince the football club to do it now.”

City have about £650,000 left in their account and are set to lose a further £120,000 over the financial year ending May 2016.

Shareholders raised their hands in favour of the trust’s bid with one supporter saying: “If we wait for the club to do anything, three-and-a-half years down the line the club will go bust, so I think we need to force their hand.”

Crean, who is also on the club’s board, added: “This is just the first step so we can go back to the club and say, ‘We really need to do this as we have spoken to the fans and they have said let’s crack on with it’.

“We have now got a mandate from supporters so we can now progress with it.”

Speaking after the meeting, City director Colin Layland said: “The trust can call for an EGM if they have got enough support from shareholders, so it is entirely up to them.”