BOSSES at Worcester City have come out fighting after feeling “discredited” by “scaremongering tactics”.

City chairman Anthony Hampson and several of his directors have come under fire after many shareholders accused them of not having a plan to keep the Vanarama National League North outfit alive.

However, the “majority of the board” insisted the claims were “factually incorrect” as they have vowed to create a “vibrant and viable” future for City.

They said they were continuing to “evaluate all possible options” to bring the exiled club back to Worcester “as quickly as possible”.

A club spokesman said: “Over recent weeks the club has been misquoted resulting in scaremongering tactics to discredit board members.

“However, shareholders should be assured the majority of board members remain committed to securing the longer term interests of the club and will continue to work tirelessly to bring the club home to its rightful place, playing a major part in the sporting heritage of the City.”

Last week Worcester City Supporters’ Trust hit out at a number of board members for rubbishing their proposals to make the club a community benefit society.

The trust believe the ownership model will help the club raise the capital for the proposed new ground at Perdiswell Park and boost negotiations with Worcester City Council to use the land.

A club spokesman admitted they had agreed a change of ownership structure “might be beneficial in the longer term”.

However, he said they were “convinced” this can only be considered once the club had “clarity” over future options for the development of a stadium in Worcester.

“The club remains committed to the joint planning application with the trust for the development of a community stadium at Perdiswell,” he said.

“However, the ongoing delays in getting the planning application heard and the challenges Worcester City Council would have in delivering the land are a very real concern.

“The board has committed to looking at future ownership structures in its current business plan and it will continue to do this.

“However, the majority of directors believe that the time to do this is once there is certainty about future locations and the cost implications of any scheme put in place to deliver this.”

On Thursday, shareholders will vote on four resolutions to the club’s constitution which could see City – currently a limited company – become a CBS.

Proposed amendments include the removal of a restriction on anyone owning more than one per cent of the company and allowing current shareholders to gift their shares to the trust.

But City’s spokesman said they want to work with Anthony Collins Solicitors to find the best way forward before making a decision on the running of the club.

“There are a variety of community ownership models available,” he said.

“These can only realistically be fully considered once there is clarity about a number of other issues, location being one of the key factors.

“Future consideration will be undertaken in conjunction with all interested parties and with specialist support from Anthony Collins Solicitors who are vastly experienced in this type of work.

“The majority of board members feel that rather than simply gifting ownership of the club to a third party, this is the way in which the club should proceed.”

Trust member Rich Widdowson described the statement as “bizarre” and questioned why the club did not make their alternative long-term vision known to shareholders at last week’s meeting.