NOMADIC Worcester City are coming home after securing a tantalising pre-season friendly with Worcester Raiders.

The Blue and Whites will play in Worcester for the first time in four years when they take on their city counterparts at Claines Lane on Monday, July 17 (7.15pm).

Bosses at Raiders and City are hoping to attract a bumper crowd for the maiden meeting between the two sides.

City joint-manager John Snape said: “It is an opportunity to play back in Worcester which has been the football club’s long-term aim.

“I am hoping for a good turnout as it is a chance to see both of the local sides play in the city.”

Worcester have been in exile since leaving St George’s Lane in 2013 with their former home flattened to make way for a housing estate.

After a three-year stay at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough they moved to Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Ground last season and will play there again this term.

With funding running low City resigned from the National League which has seen them drop into the Midland League Premier Division, just two levels above Raiders.

Kevin Jenkins, chairman of the West Midlands League Division One outfit, said he was delighted to set up a Worcester derby.

“In the final few games of last season we approached the club because we had a few people from Worcester City come up and watch,” Jenkins said.

“They were on the board so we said, ‘Let’s have a friendly as it will help your club and our club make money'.

“The season finished and pre-season started but there was not much coming from them until I got a phone call out of the blue about a week ago with the offer of a friendly.”

With just over a week to go before the much-anticipated match Jenkins said Raiders would be busy making sure their ground would be ready to host City.

“We are trying to get all the health and safety and risk assessment all in place,” Jenkins said.

“Some people are saying there could be as many as 700 people turning up.”

Snape added: “Hopefully everyone gives a good account of themselves on and off the pitch and it is a good chance for me to look at the Raiders lads as well to see if they want to get involved with the City side.”

Tickets will cost £5 for adults and £2 for people aged 16 and under with under 11s able to get in for free.