DAVE Boddy insists rivals Hereford United and Kidderminster Harriers have denied Worcester City a money-spinning summer due to the re-arrangement of the Four Nations tournament.

All three clubs were invited by the FA International Committee to stage the non-league event between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, scheduled from May 21 until 28.

Requiring three venues, the plan was to host two fixtures each at St George's Lane, Aggborough and Edgar Street, with the high-profile England versus Wales clash pencilled in for Hereford.

But organisers have shifted the tournament from the West Midlands to Sussex after United turned down the invitation and Harriers could not stage one match on a particular day.

The prestigious event, held in Ireland last summer, would have brought in valuable income for City and chairman Boddy revealed Worcester may lose money after cancelling end-of-season cup finals.

"I found out that the tournament had been switched to Sussex because Hereford decided they did not want to stage either of their games and Kidderminster said they did not want to stage one game," said Boddy.

"We're bitterly disappointed. I felt that it was an honour for all three clubs to be offered the chance to host the tournament. But the other clubs did not want to accept that honour.

"It only comes around every four years and I don't think we will get the opportunity again. I'm disappointed because we moved mountains to make it happen.

"We've cancelled games, altered our preparations for re-seeding the pitch and moved things around to accommodate the situation. It's probably cost us money because we've turned down local cup finals.

"The tournament carries great prestige and, financially, it was worthwhile. The FA would have paid us a substantial fee to hire the ground.

"I'm sure the other clubs have got their reasons. Having accepted the invitation in the first place, it's just disappointing that they've turned it down."

Boddy added: "Hereford's decision is strange, particularly as they were going to host the England and Wales game. I can't think of a better venue to play that fixture in a non-league international other than Edgar Street. I think it would have attracted quite a substantial crowd."

Roger Barlow, secretary and stadium manager at Harriers, insists the Aggborough club wanted to co-host the event.

He said: "We were offered three dates to stage the games and we were prepared to accept two of them. On the other date, we are pre-booked for a wedding reception.

"We later received a letter (from organisers) telling us that once Hereford said they were unable to stage their two games altogether, then they could not hold the tournament in the West Midlands."

Hereford United declined to comment on their decision.