THE lease which will see Worcester City finally return home after seven years has been signed.

The "long-term" lease, between Worcester City FC and the Worcestershire FA was signed earlier this week and an official statement was released yesterday (August 6).

As part of the agreement, Worcester City FC will be integrating into the Worcestershire FA’s community football facility, where it will play its matches, train, have office space and a board room.

In addition, the reserves, women’s senior teams and FA Youth Cup fixtures will be played at the site allowing the club to properly cement its place in the city.

Speaking on the agreement, Worcester City FC chairman Steve Goode said: "We are thrilled to finally share with supporters and the community that we are officially coming home.

"It’s taken a bit longer than we would have liked to have made the announcement, but if this was to be our new home it was our responsibility to carry out due-diligence to make sure the deal was right for us.

"Since entering into these discussions at the end of last year, we have cultivated a cooperative and understanding relationship with the Worcestershire FA and we are pleased to be moving in to their brand-new facility with them that will be a beacon of football for the county.

"Now we are back in the city, we start a new era in the club’s history. We are striving to live up to the expectations of what a city’s football club should be. We want to be genuinely active in the community once again and give Worcester a football club to be a proud of and crucially want to be a part of to share it successes."

Mr Goode stressed the importance of Worcester City to be able to run viably as a business.

He thanked the Worcester business community and fans for all their support.

He added: "It is no understatement to say that Worcester City FC is indebted to the supporters, individuals and staff members who have committed excesses of their time to bring the club home, not forgetting those who supported the team whilst in exile.

"Special mention must also go to the club sponsor, Pinches Transport and the Pinches Family for their unwavering support to Worcester City FC.

"These last seven years have demonstrated to the Football Club that Worcester is unquestionably the faithful city. Supporters can be assured that considerable efforts are being made in the background to make Worcester City FC’s return a success.

"As a final note, Worcester City FC would like to place on record its thanks to Bromsgrove Sporting for its support over the last few years."

Councillors approved the construction of a new 100-seat stand at the south end of the Claines Lane site at a planning meeting of Worcester City Council on August 4.

Building the new stand will mean Worcester City meet the ground expectations to play at their level.

One of the stands was put in place last year by fellow city club Worcester Raiders, but the new stand is needed to ensure facilities meet the league requirements, which state part of the facilities must be covered for at least 300 spectators.