CHAIRMAN Anthony Hampson says he is “genuinely saddened” by the position “divided” Worcester City find themselves in.

Efforts are being made by Hampson to “unify” the club and Worcester City Supporters Trust having contacted them earlier this week with details of his vision to move the Vanarama National League North outfit forward.

In a statement made at last week’s general meeting, the City chief said it was “regrettable” to see trust members Rob Crean, Jem Pitt and Mike Davis step down from the board.

“As your chairman I am genuinely saddened by the position the club now finds itself in,” he said.

“The divide between the board and trust is regrettable and one that must cause dismay amongst the club’s supporters.”

However, he told shareholders he could not back their plans to make City a community benefit society as he said he had not received “clarity” over a number of concerns.

“The potential tax implications both on the club and individual shareholders remains a legitimate concern and the clarity it has sought from the trust has not been forthcoming to date – despite assertions in the media that it has,” he said.

“There has been a suggestion that conversion to a community benefit society will result in a number of grants becoming available.

“This is at odds with the Capital Funding Survey undertaken by Sporting Assets on the trust’s behalf.”

Hampson said he also believed the target contained within trust’s Perdiswell plan, which includes building a 4,100-capacity stadium, was “overly ambitious”.

Shareholders have accused the board of not having a plan to keep the club, who have about £530,000 left in the bank, alive.

However, Hampson insisted that was “factually incorrect” as he said they had a short term business plan and were working to get City back to Worcester.

“In terms of the medium and longer term, it (the board) is continuing to evaluate all possible options to bring the club back to the city as quickly as possible,” he added.

“However, shareholders must appreciate that it cannot conduct its business in public and via the media.

“It will however continue to pursue all avenues and will keep shareholders informed at the appropriate time.”

Hampson also felt the trust were “silent” on how their model would secure the short term future of the club until the Perdiswell scheme came to fruition.

He added: “The board has consistently agreed that a change to its ownership structure may be beneficial in the longer term.

“However, it believes that this consideration can only be given once the club has clarity about its future options for the development of a stadium in Worcester.”

Speaking after the meeting, trust secretary Crean said he was “confused” by parts of Hampson’s statement.

“One of the things he said was that we were being overly ambitious, but I said I think we should be overly ambitions,” Crean said.

“As a trust we have been focusing on the medium and long term because the short term can only take you say far.

“The short term is the day-to-day running of the club, but we have been focusing on trying to find a way of securing the future.

“If he wants the trust to look at the short, medium and long term, then I would ask what is he doing?”