IF anyone was ever in doubt about Worcester Rugby Club's potential, this week's events at Sixways have blown away any lingering scepticism.

Chairman Cecil Duckworth asked members and supporters to buy into a three-year dream.

An investment in the club's future, an opportunity for the people of Worcester to give something back after Duckworth's 10-year bankroll.

Undoubtedly it was a leap of faith. A three-year season ticket is a viable prospect but, with the record of recently promoted National One clubs not exactly burning through the night sky like a beacon, it is, in some respects, a gamble.

The response from supporters, however, has been staggering. The ticket office phones lit up this week and already, without application forms being sent out to members, 100 out of 750 debentures have already been snapped up. Suddenly, the estimated figure of £750,000 that the chairman hoped would be raised through the scheme looks a banker.

"It has been overwhelming," said Duckworth. "We held the meeting on Tuesday night and to see around 500 people there was a fantastic reception.

"I've been to supporter meetings before when there have been 50 people so I was probably expecting around 100. I looked around, though, and the car parks were jam-packed!

"It was a great feeling because obviously you want to create something when you become involved in a mission. You also want to know that people want to be part of it. Well, I think we got the answer this week. People want to be part of Worcester Rugby Club and are prepared to support the future."

It illustrates the massive potential of the club. There are not many professional clubs out there who could ask people to dip into their pockets for the sum of £1,500 and expect a positive response.

Considering Worcester -- in respect to rugby's existing power-brokers -- are a club in their infancy, this week has been a colossal step forward in terms of camaraderie and the creation of a possible Premiership giant.

The funds raised will go towards stadium development and, more pertinently for next year's most crucial of seasons, player recruitment.

"It's a tremendous week for the club," said director of rugby John Brain. "Obviously Saturday was an important day. We sealed the National One title and promotion to the Premiership. This week, though, has been very encouraging for the future of the club.

"We've always said that everything would follow from success on the field. We knew the club had enormous potential on and off the field and this week has shown that.

"The meeting was very positive. I was amazed by the turn-out. In nearly three years of supporters' meetings, the maximum I've ever seen attend is 50. To get 500 was tremendous.

"I believe this season that we've given the supporters a team that they can be proud of. The message is -- if they get behind us in terms of debentures and season tickets -- then we would very much like to keep on producing teams that they can be proud of.

"The supporters have got a big part to play in that because Cecil Duckworth cannot keep on doing it all on his own.

"There's a real momentum for the club at the moment and it's a very exciting time to be involved. What drives this club is success on the field.

"That's what we're all interested in."

n Neil Lyman and Duncan Roke have both undergone surgery this week on their knees. The prop has been struggling for a while with some debris floating around in the knee and went under the knife on Monday to clear up the problem. The former Kidderminster man will now miss the rest of the season.

"It was about getting him through the important part of the season and making sure the job was done," added Brain. "Neil has been struggling a bit with the injury but he's done a very good job for us this season."

Roke pulled up after scoring the final Worcester try on Saturday and was also checked in for another op. The full back has been plagued by injury all season and will also miss the rest of the campaign.