JOHN Barton has reiterated his desire to take Worcester City into the promised land of the Nationwide Conference.

Speaking at a fans' forum at St George's Lane last night, the City manager stressed that he had several player targets in mind to improve his squad for next season.

He said: "We believe we can take this club into the Conference. We thought this was going to be the year for two-thirds of it, but for reasons we are fed up of discussing, to finish sixth was hugely disappointing.

"Around 35 per cent of the total wage bill was paid out on commitments to injured players which is a hell of a lot of money."

On next season, he added: "We aim to bring players in and have discussed with the board on how best we can do it.

"But there will be no way with the people we want to bring in that we can keep everybody."

n Hereford United scout and director Ron Jukes has joined Conference rivals Telford United after five years at Edgar Street. He teams up with new Bucks' boss Mick Jones.