CO-MANAGER Karl Gormley has expressed his delight at matters on and off the field as high-flying Worcester Raiders begin their enforced month-long break.

Despite the lockdown, there is a real sense of new beginnings at Raiders as new owners and a new home at Sixways has enabled the squad to focus on the football, whilst pressures off the field have been lifted.

Gormley couldn't speak highly enough of the welcome his side have had.

"We've been waiting a long time for this," he added.

"It's been a difficult few seasons for us, not having a home for a number of years, then playing at Claines as it was being worked on and not really having a home of our own.

"So to now have Sixways, it's brilliant.

"We have a stable home, facilities are brilliant, the owners have been taken a big role and taken a lot of things off our hands so that we can focus on the football.

"Everyone can see the difference it's made."

Before the second national lockdown of the year put a halt to all football for the next month, Raiders were sitting second in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division, with a game in hand over leaders Shifnal Town.

Worcester have won six of their seven league matches, scoring a league-high 25 goals in that period, an average of over three goals a game.

Co-manager Karl Gormley admits there are more pressing matters than football at this current time but has been left feeling frustrated at the incoming lay-off.

"It was such a good start to the season, we want to be playing twice a week," he said.

"But obviously with the current situation, there are things bigger than football and we just have to follow the guidelines and that's all we can do.

"The lads are disappointed but we have given them a fitness programme but yeah, it is frustrating but we have a month off now, hopefully get a few of those injured players back to full fitness and start again with a fully fit squad again in a months time.

"We are so confident with this squad, we just need to keep the fitness up and hopefully we can play a pre-season but were in the dark with when things will start again.

"It's a strange time for everyone."

Despite their frustrations at the suspension of the league, Gormley emphasises how impressed he has been with this group of players.

"Me and Chris have been over the moon with the lads" he said.

"Every time questions have been asked of them, they've delivered.

"Training has been really good, we have our new fitness coach who has been brilliant with the lads.

"It's all coming together now."