WORCESTER Warriors’ fans have hit out at Wasps’ confirmed move to the Midlands.

Aviva Premiership outfit Wasps will be leaving Adams Park in Wycombe for Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

They will play their first match at their new ground — just 40 miles from Sixways — in December.

Former Warriors player Andy Goode has called Wasps’ move ‘great news’ and said owner Derek Richardson had secured the club’s future.

But Warriors’ fans fear Wasps’ relocation will hit Worcester’s fanbase and impact on the club’s new regional academies.

Warriors Rugby Supporters’ Club (WRSC) chairman Darren Birch said: “I don’t think Wasps have thought about their fans at all.

“I used to test fire alarms at the Ricoh so I know the place.

“The biggest concern for our club is our academy set-up and whether it will now be affected along with our support. Worcester have some fickle fans who won’t go to Championship matches.

“Wasps might be attractive to Warriors’ fans who are only interested in top-flight rugby.”

Wasps’ chief executive officer Nick Eastwood said yesterday’s announcement, which officially confirmed the club’s switch, was a ‘watershed moment’ in the professional game.

WRSC secretary Lindsay Clayton said: “The Wasps support must feel betrayed.

“From a Worcester aspect, it worries me about the future of our investment in the academy in Warwickshire.

“With another bigger club closer, can we hold on to the talent we are now amassing in our academy?”

Warriors’ supporter Fred Last said: “Franchise rugby is up-and-running.

“I dread to think we will ever move away from Worcester but who knows.

“This potentially sets a very dangerous precedent.”

Fellow Warriors fan Adam Llewellyn said: “If this happened with Worcester, I’m not sure if I could follow rugby. It’s a dark day for rugby.”

Wasps have acquired a 50 per cent interest in the Coventry stadium and will jointly own the ground with Arena Coventry Limited, allowing Coventry City Football Club to play there as tenants.

Eastwood said: “The revenue from the facilities, combined with our existing revenues, will result in Wasps immediately becoming the highest turnover rugby club in the Premiership.”

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty said: “It is a positive and significant move by a club determined to re-assert itself at the top of the domestic and European game.”

Warriors fan Sam Verralls said he worked for the community team at Wasps. He continued: “The academy centres will not be massively affected because there is still a fairly large catchment area for Wasps.

“The move is almost a necessary evil. Wasps have no assets and no major sponsor.

“From a sustainability perspective, the move will probably benefit them.

“However, I think moving away from the London area will cause huge short-term problems. Money over loyalty is always a key issue.”

In a statement, Warriors said they were seeking clarification from Premier Rugby Limited and the RFU.

“Most importantly, these concern how Wasps’ fans’ engagement and community programmes will sit alongside the significant investment we have made in our current academy programmes in the area without conflict,” it added.