THE architect behind the spectacular Worcester Rugby Club stadium design is part of the team hoping to ring the changes for Worcester City.

Ian McConaghy, of BGP McConaghy Architects, has created the designs for the new blue and whites' ground in the hope of adding to his portfolio of sporting and building developments across Worcester.

Mr McConaghy was invited to join the Worcester Rugby Club Committee 2000, of which David Hallmark was the founder and chairman.

The project team initially built the indoor training sheds, which were secured with £1.3m of National Lottery funding.

The award was the largest Lottery grant given for any private members club and this, with the help of Cecil Duckworth, led to the £5m investment at Sixways.

The rugby club's facilities were improved through different phases. These included the pitch lighting, the £2m South Stand and the hospitality boxes.

Now, Mr McConaghy and Mr Hallmark hope to bring the same success to Worcester City.

"People in Worcester were captured by the success of the rugby, the foresight of Cecil Duckworth and the infrastructure he helped to finance," said Mr McConaghy.

"If we can duplicate this success with first class facilities for the football club, it can only help to create new and exciting times and attract new spectators and new players.

"There are some spectacular designed soccer stadiums across the country and although we have monetary constraints we want to create a first class asset with an intimate atmosphere for the fans.

"As architects we study the designs of hundreds of grounds. We are bringing a great deal of knowledge and, we hope, imagination to this football club design."

Since 1998, the BGP McConaghy practice has not only advised WCFC on its proposed move to Nunnery Way, but has also been made honorary architects to Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

The firm is currently working on an able and disabled-bodied sports facility in Lincolnshire to benefit Boston Rugby Club and the community.

It will provide an all-weather running track, swimming pool, training centre and fitness club.