NEW floodlights are expected to “transform the appearance” of Sixways and “set the standards for clubs in the Gallagher Premiership”, according to Worcester Warriors co-owner Colin Goldring.

Warriors revealed that the first stage of their ground improvement scheme would be the installation of a state-of-the-art LED system which the club claim will be “the best” in the league.

The existing problematic floodlight pylons will be replaced by new lights along the length of the roof of the East Stand.

Two new towers – with the lights configured in a distinctive W shape – will go up in the north-west and south-west corners of the stadium.

As each of the lights can be controlled, Goldring suggested the possibility of shining a “spotlight” on players when they run out or creating a “heartbeat” motion for TMO decisions.

The new system is scheduled to be fully operational in time for the start of the new season which kicks off in late September and will be tested when Warriors host Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Cup on Friday, October 4 (7.45pm).

In a statement by the Premiership outfit it also said more details of the “exciting stadium improvements” would be announced “over the coming weeks”.

Goldring who runs the club along with Jason Whittingham believes the lights will help “build an atmosphere in the stadium”.

“As a club we want to be industry leading on and off the field, these new controllable LED lights will set the standards for clubs in the Gallagher Premiership,” Goldring said.

“We are making a significant investment into the infrastructure of the stadium to ensure that everyone who visits Sixways, whether it is to watch Warriors or to attend one of the many events that we stage here, has an experience to remember and be excited about returning to the stadium.

“The first stage is a new LED floodlighting system which will be fully controllable and will transform the appearance of the stadium for those physically present and how the stadium and game appears to TV audiences.

“Historically we have had issues with the floodlights which have been too dim and there has also been a lot of light spillage which has not been good for the environment around Sixways.

“The new lights will be much brighter but they will be focused entirely on the stadium bowl which will make it easier for players, spectators and TV cameras to follow play.

"By eliminating light spillage and significantly lowering power consumption compared to the brightness, the new floodlights will also be much more environmentally-friendly.

“As each of the lights can be fully-controlled it will allow us to use them creatively and really build an atmosphere in the stadium – perhaps as a spotlight as the players run out or as a heartbeat or pulse for TMO decisions.”

Each of the new lighting towers on the west side of Sixways will contain 12 lights. There will be an additional 36 lights along the length of the East Stand which will be fitted with the use of a giant cherry-picker that can extend to 45 metres in height.

A video posted by Warriors on social media last Saturday showed the first pylon coming down sparking a positive reaction from the club’s supporters.

Paul Ward said: “Anything will be an improvement on the dreadful lighting we have had.

“It was very hard to watch a night match.”

Stephen Hodgson said: “I went to see Worcester play at Brickfields, the home of Plymouth Albion, a few seasons back and their floodlights were way ahead of what Sixways had.”

Vance Parsons added: “I would be delighted if the floodlight in the North East corner is replaced.

“It would mean I wouldn’t have to wear sunglasses in the South Stand to avoid the glare.”