WORCESTER Raiders say that late payments to both Pershore Town and Hereford Pegasus after April's Hellenic League play-offs have now been paid.

Both Pershore and Pegasus played Division One play-off matches at Sixways and are still awaiting their share of the gate money (37.5% each).

"The money has now been paid to the league and the clubs should it from them in the next few days," said Raiders' chairman Steve Harris.

"We were reminded by the league last week that it hadn't been paid but Sixways have resolved this straight away. I am sure the money will be passed on to the clubs this week."

Pershore played Worcester in Division One semi-final play-off at Sixways on Saturday April 24, that Raiders went on to win 3-0.

In response, Pershore Town have released the following statement: "Pershore Town FC are very disappointed to have had to constantly chase up a debt that should have been paid within one week of playing. 

"Being a Community Club, volunteers time could be used more proactively. We realise that Covid has hit a number of clubs, such as us, so we are under no illusions of the financial hardships it has and will cause."

"However PTFC88 make a concerted effort to pay all of our suppliers promptly."

That then saw Raiders and Pegasus go head-to-head for promotion at Sixways the following week (April 29), which Hereford won 3-0.

Despite losing the final, Raiders will play at Step 5 in the 2022/23 season following confirmation of their surprise promotion earlier this month.

Moving up a league means more money is needed to be spent in order to compete and Harris says the budget for this season should see them push for another promotion.

"We are very positive about the future," he added.

"We have got a decent budget for this campaign which will give us a great chance of reaching Step 4 football."