City consider Harriers ground offer (From Worcester News)

City consider Harriers ground offer

11:30am Saturday 2nd June 2012 in Blue Square Conference North Table & Results Exclusive By Steve Carley - Midlands Sports Journalist of the Year 2013, @stevecarleyWN

WORCESTER City are considering an offer to ground-share with Kidderminster Harriers from the start of the 2013-14 season.

The St George’s Lane club, who have to leave their century-old ground in 12 months, are mulling over a one-year deal with an option for a second season if the new stadium at Nunnery Way has not been built.

City directors met on Thursday night to discuss the proposal from their Worcestershire counterparts.

Although a figure has not been disclosed, City say they can afford the rent being asked and would also have access to the Blue Square Bet Premier club’s hospitality facilities.

Worcester company secretary John Jordan said: “We have got an offer from Kidderminster Harriers for ground-sharing for the season after next with the provision to go a season further if we need to.

“Kidderminster have been extremely helpful in terms of assisting us where they can. We consider it to extremely reasonable; financially it’s an acceptable offer.”

City are also running the rule over Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Ground and are hopeful of making a final decision within weeks.

Talks have been held with the Midland Combination club but City would need to fund improvements of facilities such as floodlights to get the required ground grading.

Jordan added: “It (Bromsgrove) remains an option. We recognise money needs to be spent and before we make a final decision we want a clear indication of how much investment would be needed in those facilities.”

Kidderminster are likely to be favourites because Aggborough is already of Football League standard and has good travel links with the Hoo Road venue being situated close to the A449 as well as the train station.

Moving there might also make it easier for manager Carl Heeley to attract players once City are without a base of their own.

The Lane will be demolished for housing by Careys New Homes when City vacate the site in June 2013.

Planning permission has been granted for a new stadium at Nunnery Way with St Modwen but no date for construction has been set.

The moving of a bridle path from the M5 corridor site has slowed the process down but, under the contract with City, St Modwen have until 2017 to start work.

The issue of capital gains tax also remains with the club still unclear how much they would have to pay if a ground has not been started by December 2013.