THE Worcestershire FA will not be making any capital investment in Worcester City’s Parsonage Way project – but is prepared to back the club's quest for grant funding.

That’s the message from chief executive Nichola Trigg, who confirmed the county association remains in talks over holding the head lease at the proposed site.

It would see the Worcestershire FA provide a back-to-back lease to City for the plot owned by Worcester City Council with the club then taking responsibility for managing the facility.

“We have been asked by the council to consider holding the lease,” said Trigg.

“Nothing has been signed and like anything, it is subject to the detail but we have certainly not refused to. We are holding discussions and they are not negative.

“We have seen draft heads of terms and remain in dialogue with the council and the club. We would always look to support football in the community and from our understanding, Parsonage Way would have a significant element of community use.”

One of the prevailing questions over the project has been how much it will cost with the club officials stating that work continues on tweaks to its initial plans and estimates for the work.

On the funding of the project, Trigg added: “We will support the club through the process of any grant applications it is eligible for but will not be contributing any finances. Our only formal involvement is potentially holding the head lease.

“Most clubs that apply for grants, particularly those that go to the Football Foundation or the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, usually ask for our involvement.

“If they go directly they would effectively come back to us for review and consideration anyway.

“Until a grant application is submitted it would be impossible for me to comment on whether it is viable or otherwise.

“Although we are not particularly close to the application, more the lease and any potential grant application, I know it is in phases but Worcester City is a privately-run club and it is their project.

“A number of projects cross our desks for grant applications. Some never get off the ground, others fly through. It depends on the affordability and whether it complies with the grant requirements.”