IT'S three years since John Barton replaced Graham Allner as manager at St George's Lane -- though after Saturday's blank at Weymouth he did admit it felt more like 33 years.

The transformation in that time has been nothing short of remarkable with Worcester currently vying for top spot in the league.

How different to the moment Barton returned to St George's Lane on November 11, 1999 during what was a pivotal moment in the club's history.

On that November day, Barton took over Allner's expensively assembled clutch of players who had managed to accumulate just 10 points from 16 games, leaving City languishing in one of the relegation spots.

The club was in a mess and left Barton staring down the barrel of relegation to the Dr Martens Western Division.

But ably supported by experienced players such as Mark Tucker and Martin Weir in defence and the goals of Mark Owen and Sam Bowen up front, Barton slowly but surely turned the club around.

One defeat in eight matches soon after taking over and a run of eight wins out of nine around the New Year boosted City's position.

However, it wasn't until a 4-4 draw at home to Dorchester Town in the second from last game of the season that Premier Division status was finally preserved as they finished 15th.

One bright spot of the season was reaching the last 16 of the FA Trophy including taking the scalp of Conference side Hayes.

The following season Barton brought some silverware to the club for the first time in 22 years with the capture of the Dr Martens Cup after beating Crawley.

It was a small, but important step forward, although four straight defeats at the end of the 2000/01 campaign saw them trail in eighth behind Margate when at one point they had been as high as third.

There was no magic wand to wave and Barton always believed he would need at least two years to sort out the legacy of Allner's disastrous tenure.

In truth Barton had spent the best part of two years disposing of an ageing squad on big contracts with little if any spare cash to bring in the players of his choice.

Having completed that task, however, he then demonstrated a shrewd eye in the transfer market and the upshot is this season's best start for 24 years.

Most City supporters, despite the recent goal drought, would still have to pinch themselves to believe they are actually battling it out for top spot.

It's been a not inconsiderable achievement so far, but with plenty of twists and turns still to come this season I sense that the Barton story is not yet complete.