THERE have been times when Worcester City ’s home form has been the subject of derision and criticism.

Times not so long ago when they couldn’t buy a win on home soil and barely 500 people were prepared to show their faces inside St George’s Lane on a Saturday afternoon.

But not any more. Now the team is flying high in Blue Square Bet North and last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Colwyn Bay meant City had won their first three home games of a league campaign for the first time in 10 years. That’s not a bad statistic and should not be allowed to go unnoticed.

To coin a horrible cliche, the Lane is becoming something of a fortress. For now, at least, Carl Heeley’s team are difficult to beat on their own turf.

The fans have also returned, with 832 turning up at the weekend and 783 and 768 for the previous league triumphs against Corby Town and Bishop’s Stortford.

But City want more through the turnstiles. Indeed, they expect more, especially as it is the last ever season at their century-old ground. They appear to have reached a stage where they have established a core support of around 750 but increasing that number is proving increasingly tricky.

It’s not as if people can say the team is not winning or exciting to watch — even if a few within earshot of the press box still insist on moaning that City haven’t played every pass on the deck or scored 10 goals by half-time.

Chairman Anthony Hampson , while delighted with the team’s progress, admits disappointment by what he sees as low home crowds.

“I am very pleased with the overall performance of the team, it’s a considerable improvement on last season but I was slightly disappointed with the gate last Saturday,” he said.

“832 is almost an average game at the Lane and we have put a lot of work and effort into building the club back up. “I sincerely hope that the people of Worcester understand that and will come out and support the club in our last season at St George’s Lane.

“We haven’t lost a game in the league at home, it’s the highest we’ve been on a consistent basis since I’ve been chairman and I’m hoping that more people will come and support the club.”

Hampson accepts a lot can depend on the number of supporters the away team brings but is still looking to pull in four figures on a regular basis.

The City chief added: “It’s a long way to come from Colwyn Bay and I understand that they don’t have a big fan base.

“I think when we play the more local derbies I am hoping for nearer 1,000 as a target for the club in our home games.”

He added: “It’s an impressive start and it just shows the calibre of the playing staff here. “Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner have done a tremendous job in mentoring the younger players and also providing the older players with the inspiration and support to play for Worcester City.”