IT was the worst kept secret regarding the club but Worcester City have finally agreed another season with Kidderminster Harriers.

Few will be surprised by the news although many will be relieved that the issue has now been rubber-stamped.

For all the talk that City were looking at other options, realistically they were never going to end up anywhere other than Aggborough.

That’s not to undermine the offers from Evesham United and Bromsgrove Sporting. They both had their merits but Harriers is the best fit for Worcester, even if the cash-strapped landlords need the money.

While it would have been the most expensive, it will be a price worth paying if it helps keep Worcester at their current level in Conference North.

The Blue and Whites cannot afford to drop down the non-league pyramid while in exile and a move away from Aggborough would likely have hit their crowd numbers and therefore revenues and playing budgets.

City’s relationship with Kidderminster is established and the transport links well rehearsed by the loyal fans prepared to travel across the county.

Attempting to effectively start again at Evesham or Bromsgrove would have been a gamble.

Some might say that staying at Aggborough is equally as risky if the pitch does not improve but both clubs have gone out of their way to drum home the point that there will be major work undertaken in the summer to rectify what has been a thorny issue.

City’s rent has gone up accordingly so you can bet they will want a pristine surface, the sort of which Carl Heeley’s team have proved they can thrive on.

Manager Heeley should also find it much easier to tempt a high calibre of player to a Football League-graded facility like Aggborough, which will also help keep City in Conference North.

That has to be the aim.