Skipper leaves City (From Worcester News)

Skipper leaves City

2:11pm Thursday 14th January 2010

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WORCESTER City skipper Tom Kemp has completed a free transfer to AFC Telford United and there are fears that more could be about to follow out the St George’s Lane exit door.

The former Halesowen Town central defender put pen to paper at the New Bucks Head this afternoon and City manager Richard Dryden refused to comment as to whether more would follow.

Cash-strapped City have not played at the Lane since the middle of December and with the club all but at the limit of their overdraft it appears that Kemp’s departure is purely down to money.

The club have missed out on some big gates at the Lane during the big freeze over the Christmas period and their FA Trophy clash last weekend against Carshalton Athletic also fell foul of the weather.

That has left a big hole in City’s finances despite the Football Conference releasing funds to member clubs early due to the spate of postponements.

While that money will be gratefully received by those at the Lane it will be a mere drop in the ocean that will have been needed to keep the club running on a daily basis and Kemp is unlikely to be replaced.

“It is a massive blow to lose Tom Kemp,” Dryden said. “But I have said before I have got three good centre-halves.”

With Kemp now at Telford, the possibility of more players leaving cannot be ruled out.

That prospect maybe hastened next week if Monday’s rearranged FA Trophy second round match with Carshalton Athletic be postponed again.

The St George’s Lane pitch is currently under a carpet of snow and tenants Evesham United are expected to postpone Saturday's Zamaretto League Premier Division match with Bashley tomorrow afternoon.

That will leave City with a race against time to prepare the ground in readiness for Monday’s match and the club are asking for volunteers to help clear the snow from the pitch on Saturday.

The club will be desperate for the game to go ahead due to the fact a much needed £6,000 is on offer to the winners as well as half the gate receipts.

There is also a potential Worcestershire home derby for City at the end of the month if they can beat the Ryman Premier Division side and Kidderminster Harriers can beat Lewes.