HOPES are high that the Aggborough pitch shared by Worcester City will be more football-friendly next season.

There were problems with the drainage during the 2014-15 campaign as landlords Kidderminster Harriers and tenants City both had a battle on their hands to play a passing game on a poor surface.

However, Harriers’ new chairman Rod Brown and his board have welcomed the return of Ade Ganderton as groundsman alongside a programme of works being carried out on the pitch by Bishampton-based sports turf contractor Phil Day Sports before pre-season.

Brown, who took over as chief after the exit of Ken Rae in April, said: “We’ve been extremely careful over the last couple of months to identify what needs to be done to ensure the best possible results for the playing surface this season.

“We’ve taken a consultation and are working with Phil Day Sports, a company with a renowned history when it comes to football pitches, and we’re confident about the results we’ll end up with.

“Ade is overseeing things and is pleased with how it’s all coming along and we’re really excited now for that first game on the new pitch against Birmingham in July.”

The first pre-season friendly scheduled for Aggborough is on Saturday, July 18, between Harriers and a Birmingham City XI.

The Worcestershire FA Senior Cup final is due to be played at Kidderminster on Saturday, July 25, before City host a Blues development XI on Friday, July 31.

Meanwhile, striker Connor Collins, who had a spell at Worcester last season, has signed for Halesowen Town from Fairfield Villa.

Halesowen have also snapped up former Kidderminster youth team midfielder Ashley Parsons-Smith from Stourport Swifts.

Collins scored 44 goals in 39 matches last season for Midland League side Villa but only made two substitute appearances at City.