WORCESTER Raiders chairman Steve Harris is hopeful the club's long-term Sixways future will soon be confirmed after Sixways was sold on Wednesday.

The home of Raiders and rugby club Worcester Warriors has been under the ownership of administrators Begbies Traynor for the last five months due to Warriors falling into administration in September. 

But as of Wednesday afternoon, Atlas Worcester Warriors RFC Ltd - led by former chief executive Jim O'Toole and ex-London Irish player James Sandford - have bought the club and all its assets. 

And now Harris is hopeful that is also good news for his club Raiders.

"Its been great to see Sixways finally have new owners in the Atlas Group," he said,

"I would like to congratulate James Sandford and Jim O'Toole on the purchase and looking forward to meeting them very soon.

"After speaking to James, I know they are both looking forward to coming to a Raiders game very soon. Everything seems extremely positive in terms of the football club right now."

Raiders return to theor home ground Sixways this weekend following their surprise 2-1 defeat at Roman Glass St George last weekend, a result that has had damaging consequences on their promotion hopes.

Raiders are now 10 points off second-placed Cribbs and 12 off leaders Malvern (but do have two games in hand).

They face Mangotsfield United on Saturday, a club who have struggled since being relegated from Step 4 at the end of last season. 

Field have lost 13 of their 23 matches in the 2022/23 campaign but are showing signs of a revival of late.

They are actually unbeaten in the league since November, having won three of their last five matches. They held fourth-placed Westfields to a 2-2 draw last weekend. 

You would think that promotion looks a long-shot from here but whilst it is still mathematically possible, Karl Gormey's side will continue to push those above them.

Raiders do play Cribbs next week so if they can go into that with a win, they could give themselves a last chance to nudge themselves back in the conversation for going up.

But anything less than three points on Saturday will surely give themselves too much to do. 

In other games in the league this weekend, Cribbs host Westfields in what looks a tricky encounter for the team currently occuping second spot. 

League leaders Malvern welcome lowly Chipping Sodbury Town to the HDAnywhere Community Stadium. 

All games on Saturday are 3PM kick-offs and the Worcester News will be live from Sixways on Saturday for Raiders' clash with Mangotsfield.