A MEETING with the bank manager looks set to be the first challenge for the newly-elected board of directors at Worcester City.

Twelve directors, including chairman Anthony Hampson and predecessor Dave Boddy, were voted into power by shareholders at the annual general meeting.

However, they could be put to the test within days as they prepare for crunch talks with the club’s bank.

Representatives from each party are due to discuss the St George’s Lane club’s finances on Wednesday, with the £1million debt and £800,000 loan likely to be high on the agenda.

The accounts for the year ending May 31, 2007, were rejected at the County Hall meeting and could well come under further scrutiny, particularly in the current economic climate.

Hampson and his fellow new directors will be looking to win the bank’s confidence and backing as they outline plans for a new stadium at Nunnery Way.

He said: “We’ve got a difficult time to go through, we’ve got to meet the bank, we’ve got to go through forecasts for the next three to four months and we need to keep them on board.

“We need to keep them on our side, they have been very supportive up to now and as long as they can get a fairly good picture of our plans then I am sure that with their support the club will move forward.”

When asked if the meeting was critical for the club’s future, the chairman said: “I think every weekend is critical for the future of Worcester City.

“We need to win matches, we need to get the supporters back to the ground and from that cash-flow, finance and confidence flows back to the club.

“Yes, when you meet the bank manager, it’s always going to be critical.”