City look set to head north (From Worcester News)

City look set to head north

7:00am Friday 30th April 2010

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WORCESTER City expect to find themselves switched to Blue Square North next season if they avoid relegation.

The St George’s Lane club is hoping to be granted a reprieve from the drop after finishing third-bottom in Blue Square South, although nothing will be set in stone until the Conference annual meeting on June 12.

If they stay up, City face a return to the northern division, which will be known as Blue Square Bet North, when the leagues are reorganised during the summer.

Ebbsfleet United and Forest Green Rovers, both relegated from the Blue Square Premier, will need to be placed in the south along with Ryman League champions Dartford, and the eventual play-off winners, and Zamaretto League champions Farnborough.

That could see City shifted sideways to a league which would see them have more revenue-generating local derbies with the likes of Redditch, Solihull, AFC Telford, Stafford and Gloucester.

Travelling costs would also be lower as, although there could be trips to Workington and Blyth Spartans, more games would be closer.

Worcester have had two seasons in the south — they finished 16th last term — after being given a three-year guarantee they would not be moved when first switched in 2008.

They might not have a choice after finishing in the relegation places but manager Carl Heeley is keen to move back anyway.

“It makes sense that we are north,” he said. “If you look at the clubs around the Midlands you have got a lot within 90 minutes.

“But first we need to get an assurance that we get a reprieve.”

It is understood City cannot request to go north but can still ask to remain south as part of the three-year assurance deal. They can also say they have no preference.

“Then it’s down to the Football Conference,” the City boss added.

Last year, Worcester opted to stay put having been asked to move to accommodate Gloucester, citing being unable to compete against teams with much higher playing budgets.

But they have failed to make an impact in the south and feel it is time to revert.

They had four seasons in the north following the restructuring of the non-league pyramid, finishing seventh in 2005, eighth in 2006, ninth in 2007 and 12th in 2008.

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