CHAIRMAN Anthony Hampson warned Worcester City had arrived at “an important crossroads” having revealed the club would need to part fund a new stadium at Parsonage Way.

Hampson hopes to have “much more of an idea” about costings over the next month once architects finalise plans for a venue “very similar to the Evesham (United) model in terms of ground grading”.

The club plans to present proposals to city and parish councillors, club shareholders, stakeholders and residents in a meeting that the City chief confirmed would not be preceded by an AGM.

As detailed in an official club statement last month, Hampson said the Worcestershire FA would be the head lessor but added the project would require capital investment from City.

Speaking exclusively to the Worcester News, Hampson said: “In my view, Parsonage Way is an important crossroads in getting back to Worcester.

“When we have detail of the plans, we will hold a general meeting not only with shareholders but parish councillors, city councillors and more importantly, the people who have been putting money into the club through purchasing season tickets.

“They have been the backbone of the club for the past seven, eight or nine years and I would be interested to hear their views on the future. I am hoping for their support as well.

“We need to get momentum for fundraising. That will go a long way to deciding the speed with which this development takes place.

“The club will be putting money into it. That is why we need to get together with the shareholders, stakeholders and everyone else to see whether they will get behind it.”

On the prospect of holding an AGM, Hampson said: “We would be starting with the meeting for the Parsonage Way project. That is the next meeting I would envisage the club holding.

“It is a question of the priority being Parsonage Way and the funding of the project, moving forward together as a club and all facing one way.

“We can gauge support and it will be down to fundraising. That is what the club desperately needs now.

“I am very hopeful this is third time lucky.”

Members of Warndon Parish Council last week hit out at the club’s plans, deeming it “totally unsuitable” and raising concerns over parking, traffic, the £100,000 being spent on a feasibility survey and the prospect of City outgrowing the site.

“It is only natural that people will be seeking explanations and reassurances from the club,” said Hampson.

“Once we have moved to the next stage we will be happy to have a meeting with the parishioners if that’s the best way of going about it.

“We understand Warndon Parish Council have concerns but once we have the plans together, we would welcome the opportunity to make a presentation to them and make them feel they should not be afraid of the project.

“They will benefit from the community aspect of it all.”

Although plans are at an early stage, Hampson moved to quell any fears that City’s on-field progress could be hampered.

Evesham United, highlighted by Hampson as an example of the club's thinking, play at the fourth level of non-league football but their 3,000 capacity home contains 300 covered seats and following work in the summer has been deemed suitable to host National North football – the level City played at prior to taking a voluntary three-tier drop at the end of last season.

“We would be looking to do something very similar to the Evesham model in terms of ground grading,” said Hampson.

“As the club prospers and gathers more support, there will be more facilities bolted on to the ground. There would have to be because of the ground grading.”