THE future of Worcester Raiders appears to have been secured after chairman Steve Harris confirmed he had agreed on a deal to remain at Sixways with new owners Atlas. 

The Atlas consortium confirmed their purchase of the stadium at the start of May and Harris says they have a deal in place that will keep them at the 11,000-seater ground for at least two more years. 

Whilst this deal has not officially been signed off, Harris confirmed to the Worcester News that a "very positive meeting" between the club and Atlas' Jim O'Toole and James Sandford had concluded with the two parties agreeing on a new lease agreement.

The chairman stated that a written document is in the process of being drawn up in the "next few days" with some finer details still to sort. Atlas have confirmed that an agreement has been made.

Raiders and Atlas did have an 'agreement in principle' before now, so fans will be wanting to see official confirmation sooner rather than later. But this deal, should it be confirmed, is said to be more long-term than ones previously discussed.

During the ongoing saga at Worcester Warriors for the past 10 months, there had been concerns over whether Raiders would be kept on at Sixways.

Atlas' original plans to bring Warriors back look set to be years away and hopes of bringing former Premiership club Wasps in as tenants at the stadium look to be over after they had their licence to play in the Championship (England's second-tier rugby competition). 

The other team who have stated that they have an agreement with Atlas is Worcester Warriors Women, meaning the non-league football side and women's side will share the ground as it stands.

Raiders finished last season in fourth in the Hellenic League Premier and will be joined in the same league by fellow Worcestershire non-league clubs Worcester City and Pershore Town.