JOINT manager John Snape has pleaded with fans to throw their support behind financially-stricken Worcester City next season in a bid to "stop the rot".

Snape attended a packed-out fans’ forum where he urged disgruntled supporters to help create a “great atmosphere" at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground.

The Blue and Whites have dropped three levels into the Midland League Premier Division after resigning from the National League.

With money dwindling fears over the club’s future increased when bosses said they were set to make a "significant loss" this year.

But Snape believes City will "not go bust within the next five years" and has vowed to make a "profit" in the next financial year.

"With Lee coming on board he will take on most of the football side of things and hopefully I can help behind the scenes in building relationships because the club needs to start again," Snape said.

"It’s not going to be easy but I don’t think the club are going to go bust within the next five years to be honest with you.

"It is going to operate within a budget. I don’t know what the full projection is this year financially for us but I want to turn around and say ‘We have made a profit’ or we have broken even for a change.

"We have to stop the rot and have a starting point because at the moment we have not got that."

With Worcester City Supporters’ Trust and the club’s board at loggerheads attendances suffered in their first season at Bromsgrove Sporting’s home after ending their three-year stay at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough ground.

Snape said he was determined to lift "the doom and gloom" hanging over City and have a strong backing next term.

"I want you back at the ground and running it like a proper professional club like you used to do at Kidderminster Harriers," he said.

"There was a great atmosphere there but that has gone. You go to Bromsgrove and there is a tumbleweed going down at 5.30pm.

"I want you to come and enjoy the games and have a chat afterwards."

Snape’s plea triggered a mixed response from the City faithful with long-time supporter Niels Eiriksson saying he did not want to give chairman Anthony Hampson and the directors his money.

"The players want positivity but we have got a board who have basically wrecked this club in the last few years even more than it was already," Eiriksson said.

"So the problem for us and certainly the problem for me is I don’t want to support that with my money but I want my club to carry on.

"Do I just go to away games and support the team there and not put any money into the club which will then affect your purchasing power?

"For me and several other people this is a long-term thing."

But another fan added: "Irrespective of where we are playing your home ground is your home ground and you have got to be there.

"If you don’t the club don’t get any money and you are going to go under."