A HEARTFELT plea has been made by manager Carl Heeley to Worcester City’s disillusioned supporters to get behind his new-look side.

Heeley insists Worcester’s fans are “critical” to the exiled club who will play their home games at the Victoria Ground this season following their ground-share deal with Bromsgrove Sporting.

And he believes his players “deserve” to be supported as they gear up for Saturday’s Vanarama National League North opener against visitors Harrogate Town (3pm).

Since last season came to a close in April, City’s board and supporters’ trust have been involved in a bitter dispute over the running of the club.

After the trust’s bid to make City a community benefit society was rejected, a number of shareholders fearing for the club’s future threatened to stop supporting them.

Heeley admitted he understood it was a “challenge” for some fans but he said they now needed to focus on cheering on his team during the upcoming campaign.

“All of the things that happen on and off the pitch are all geared to a squad of players taking part at the highest level of football we can every weekend,” said Heeley, who stepped down as a director last month to concentrate on managing the first team.

“It’s critical for us that supporters come and watch us. I have heard all these things like ‘Who cares’ and ‘I don’t care’ but I care passionately about the club.

“I say, ‘Come and support us’. I don’t buy into this, ‘If this doesn’t happen, I won’t come and support’ because that’s not what it is all about.

“It should be about supporting the team through thick and thin and we have proven in the past we can be competitive and exciting to watch.

“The lads deserve supporters to come out and I am sure they will.

“I know it is a challenge as we are ground-sharing and have to move around but it is what it is at the moment and we have to make the most of it and be as positive as we possibly can be.”

After leaving St George’s Lane in 2013, City played at Kidderminster’s Aggborough for three seasons before a hike in rent saw them move to Bromsgrove.

Although having enjoyed his time at Harriers’ home, Heeley believes City’s vocal supporters can get the Victoria Ground rocking.

“We had some good atmospheres at Aggborough but the supporters are closer to the pitch at Bromsgrove as it is a smaller ground,” he said.

“It is more traditional, so you can certainly create an atmosphere.”