MANAGER Steve Humphrys cited Worcester City’s lack of a base after the under-21s had three points deducted due to a venue being double booked.

City’s reserves and under-21s play at South Bromsgrove High School and a clerical error meant a home clash with Castle Vale Town under-21s on Saturday, September 7 got postponed.

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Failure to fulfil the fixture led to a fine from the Midland Football League (MFL) as well as the loss of points.

Humphrys explained that as well as playing in Bromsgrove, the under-18s that he also managers hosts its matches in Dudley and argued the situation would not have arisen if the teams had suitable facilities in Worcester.

“There are more restrictions on the facilities (in the MFL). It has to have dugouts, floodlighting and fencing around the pitch,” said Humphrys.

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“With City not having a ground we have to go farther afield to find a facility because there is nothing in Worcester.

“I run the under-18s that play in midweek, it is effectively the same players, and we have to play in Dudley for the same reason. It is a crazy scenario.

“I don’t want to get political but if we had a first-team venue we could all operate from one ground like most other teams.

“The reality is this problem would not have happened if we had a home pitch.

“We have to try to book up venues here, there and everywhere to make sure we get the right level of football for these talented lads who want to push for the first team.

“I’d say 60-70 per cent are Worcestershire lads, others are from different places but not too far away.

“Probably 40-50 per cent are from Worcester but I think we would get more with a base here. We are doing the best we can without a ground.

“It was not a footballing problem, we haven’t done anything wrong as a team so we will have to pick up the lads and go again.

“We are having a good season. A lot of the lads are 16 or 17 and doing really well against older players, we have fought really hard for the points so it is a shame.

“They are holding their own in a 21s league while being top of the 18s table. We have done well to do it without a central venue and still create these lads that want to play for Worcester City.

“It is a shame, the club's name still has an established feel to it.”