WORCESTER City Supporters’ Trust have hit out at the club’s bosses after claiming they had demanded £10,000 from a college to have the “right to wear their badge”.

The Heart of Worcestershire College are working with City to provide a pathway for bright prospects to the first team.

Homegrown aces Jamie Smith and Dean Waldron have been products of the academy system but the relationship is understood to have hit “rock-bottom”.

And manager Carl Heeley, who is also on City’s board, said they will look at creating their own programme if HOW are not willing to stump up cash but he did not disclose the amount.

“In a nutshell, Heart of Worcestershire College are using the name of Worcester City to get their students to the goal of being the same as the Jamie Smiths and the Dean Waldrons,” he said.

“Why have we not been rewarded for that?

“Being blunt, if they (HOW) are not prepared to discuss it, other options are out there for us.

“Other clubs deliver their own programmes and it is an income stream.”

However, trust director Rich Widdowson has criticised the move, saying it goes against the club’s efforts to strengthen links in the community.

“Worcester City’s board have shown their colours by demanding £10,000 from the Heart of Worcestershire College for the right to wear their badge,” he said.

“We always thought that was a partnership with the intention of bringing through 60 or 70 lads.

“But now we are going to set up our own profit-making academy.

“That is fine but it is not a community-owned football club.

“It is a private company with a private interest to the shareholders.”