NORTH: Preece is new Worcester City boss

Worcester City FC are delighted to announce the appointment of their new Player/Manager, Andy Preece.

Preece, 37, who is a "Worcester Boy", born in Evesham and hails from Upton Snodsbury, joins City from Nationwide Conference high flyers Carlisle United where he has been in prolific form scoring 14 goals in 18 games this season.

His career started with City as a youngster back in 1985 and in a couple of spells with the Club he made 53 appearances scoring 23 goals before moving to Wrexham for £2,000. He then went on to Stockport County, Crystal Palace (£350,000 transfer fee), Blackpool (£200,000), Bury and Carlisle making over 400 League appearances scoring 125 goals.

It was at Bury that he made his mark as a manager. A four-year spell in the hot seat at Gigg Lane was highlighted when they made the Third Division play-offs. Andy also made a reputation for developing young players and was very successful in a declining transfer market and working under very difficult circumstances for "The Shakers".

Coming in with Andy as his Assistant will be another highly experienced man in Andy Morrison, who made nearly 300 League appearances for Plymouth Argyle, Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Huddersfield Town, Manchester City and Bury, and was also involved in some "big money" moves. Morrison will not be joining City until later next week.

A delighted City Chairman, Dave Boddy said: "Obviously we are delighted to have got our man and pleased that Andy wanted to come to the Lane. He was the unanimous choice of the whole Board. Once again we have shown the ambitions of the club and are looking forward to an exciting and successful future together."