NON-LEAGUE stalwart Tim Harris has revealed his excitement at returning to the dug-out after being named the new Worcester City manager.
The former Newport County, Gloucester City, Tamworth, Forest Green Rovers and Merthyr Tydfil boss was handed the role on Monday (January 4) and replaces Ash Vincent who resigned last month after 18 months in charge.
His most recent roles include a four month spell as manager of Redditch United and a 14 month spell as head of football at Hereford United before his resignation in November 2019.
The 61-year-old becomes the Blue and Whites third manager in as many years following Vincent, John Snape and Lee Hughes into the role and described the club as a ‘great fit’.
“It goes without saying this football club has a rich history and strong fan base, the board have managed expectations well and have got it into a good position to kick on now,” Harris said.
“The timing for me was perfect, the fact Worcester City hasn’t had a promotion for 40 years needs to change, and I’ll be working with the board towards that aim. I can’t wait to get going and the sooner football returns the better.”
After a playing career with Shrewsbury Town, Newport County, Gloucester City and Cheltenham Town, the Gloucestershire-born chief began his managerial career more than three decades ago at Cinderford Town.
A seven-year spell saw Harris secure the Hellenic League Division One Title, the Hellenic Premier Division and two league cups. He also had a memorable FA Cup run to the 2nd Round proper.
He then moved onto Newport County where he was in charge until 2002. In this time, the Exiles won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division and drew with Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in another excellent FA Cup run.
Harris would return to Newport County between 2008 and 2013 as Director of Football, where they had two promotions, two Wembley appearances and a return to the Football League after an absence of 25 years.
City fans will know him best from his time at the helm of neighbours Gloucester City initially between 2005 and 2008 where they secured promotion as Southern League Play-off winners.
He returned in 2013 and continually kept Gloucester in the National League North whilst the club were in exile.
Speaking after his appointment, City chairman Steve Goode said: “We are really pleased to have secured Tim’s services as manager. His CV speaks for itself whilst his approach and values are very much in chime with our ambitions and methodology as a football club.
“He ticks every box for us. We can’t wait for Tim to settle in and get going,” he added.
The new City boss will finalise his coaching staff in due course but the club has confirmed football secretary Kev Preece, kit man Jed Hallam and physio Shannon Kincade will continue in their positions.
Harris will have a wait for his first game after Midland Football League chiefs confirmed the season has again been halted because of Coronavirus.
With a majority of clubs now in tier four areas and with City now playing in an area moved up to tier three all affected clubs cannot train or play matches.
Therefore the MFL board decided to immediately suspend all league fixtures until January 31, meaning another suspension a season littered with delays because of Covid-19.