BROMSGROVE Sporting has “a couple of parties” interested in taking over as groundshare tenants from Worcester City at the end of this season.

City has an “in-principle” agreement to return to Worcester at Claines Lane from the start of next season but there is plenty of work to do to bring the Worcestershire FA-owned site up to standard.

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The county association hoped to have initial redevelopment work, including a 3G pitch, floodlights and new changing and office facilities, completed by the end of September 2019.

Only the floodlights and a stand put in by existing tenants Worcester Raiders has been completed so far, causing the West Midlands (Regional) League outfit to move temporarily to Nunnery Wood Sports Complex.

Raiders hope to back at Claines Lane later this month, albeit with temporary facilities, with work set to get moving now the Worcestershire FA has been granted access to up to £750,000 of loans from Worcester City Council.

That work will still only bring the ground up to standard for the level below City’s and the homeless club, now in its fourth season playing from Sporting’s Victoria Ground, is responsible for undertaking any extra work.

Bromsgrove chairman Mike Burke confirmed he would meet with City to discuss a contingency plan but that any requests would have to be balanced with his club’s long-term interests.

“Understandably they are being cautious in case the new ground doesn’t go to plan,” said Burke.

“We may discuss to leave open the opportunity to stay here. We will need to know one way or the other so we can look for another tenant.

“If someone comes along and wants to be here for a few years then we will have to look at them first but I think we owe something to Worcester to give them an option.

“It is common knowledge that Worcester plan to move on next season and we have had enquiries over taking a tenancy.

“The ground may be a bit much for some smaller clubs but there are a couple of parties that would be a good fit here.”

Asked where Sporting’s priorities would lie, Burke replied: “We will have to see what the figures are and decide at the time. If someone wants a two or three-year tenancy with us then we would have to think of that first and the interests of our club.

“We want to be nice to Worcester, they have been good to us and we have got on well. We will listen to what they want to do.”

On City’s plans, Burke added: “It is nice for them to get back to Worcester, the fans deserve it.

“You are where you play and the people from top to bottom need them to go back home. We will be sad to see them go but it happens, things move on and change.”

City host AFC Wulfrunians in Midland Football League Premier Division today (3pm).