WORCESTER Warriors’ Sixways Stadium could be brought under council ownership under a plan being tabled by city council chiefs.
Members of the influential Policy and Resources Committee will be asked to give the green light to a proposed meeting between Worcester City and Wychavon District Council bosses over the next steps in the ongoing saga over the fallen Premiership side at a meeting on Tuesday (March 21).
That’s despite an offer from Warriors owners Jim O’Toole and James Sandford to attend the next council meeting on May 25 to present their vision of the future of rugby in the city.
Following an amended cross-party motion on February 21, Guildhall managing director David Blake wrote to the under-fire owners to express concerns of city councillors over the future of the Warriors.
In response, Mr O’Toole confirmed new owners Atlas had already taken on board feedback regarding the proposed name change and have already announced they will revert to the name of Worcester Warriors.
“We understand fully the concerns of the members regarding keeping Worcester in the title and we thank them for their input,” he said.
“It is clear from watching the stream of the meeting it would be helpful for us to come and present to the full council to explain the situation we inherited and how our plan to bring Warriors back to the top tiers of English professional rugby has evolved over the last few months.
“To this end we would like to take up your kind invitation to make that presentation at the May 25 council meeting.”
In the report to councillors, officers have revealed Mr Blake has had an initial discussion with Vic Allinson, the chief executive of Wychavon District Council who has indicated further discussions would be required before any course of action could be agreed.
As a result, councillors will be asked to approve a motion which asks Mr Blake writes to the leader of Wychavon District Council, sharing the response from Mr Sandford and Mr O’Toole and requesting a meeting between Worcester City Council and Wychavon District Council in order, in the light of the response, to discuss next steps.
