NEW signing Darren Bullock is aiming to lift Worcester City out of the doldrums and return them to the Nationwide Conference.

The Worcester-born midfielder, who was set to make his debut in today's home match against Tiverton Town in the Dr Martens Premier Division, aims to help City rekindle their glory days.

He said City were the only club he would drop below the Conference to play for and wanted to recreate the days of his youth when thousands used to flock to St George's Lane.

"To be honest I had other offers to play in the Conference but I always said to John after I left Nuneaton that when I came out of the Football League I would speak to him and fortunately he was at Worcester," he said.

"City are the only club I would have come back to have played for in the Dr Martens and I'm really happy to be there.

"I joined the club as a YTS trainee groundsmen and was there from 16-19 and then had a spell at Malvern before returning to Worcester and then on to Nuneaton."

Bullock was a late starter in the Football League when John Barton sold him to Huddersfield Town for £60,000 but he never doubted his own ability.

"I was very confident in my ability and very fortunate to have been under John and George Rooney who helped me progress.

"John really pushed me and if it wasn't for him I probably wouldn't have got into the pro game.

"I've known John a long time and I've got a lot of respect for him and George Rooney who gave me my chance at Worcester."

Bullock will link up with Jon Holloway, who he played with at Swindon, and also Paul Carty at Nuneaton.

"I'm really looking forward to the Tiverton game whether I'm in the squad or starting."

Bullock, who is from Tolladine, is settled in Bury but happy to return to Worcester and put something back into the club.

"I've obviously got experience but when your backs are to the wall you need fighters in the side and I'm one of those with a will to win."

Bullock has hopes to lift City out of the footballing doldrums and return them to the Conference. "It's 10 or 12 years since I was last at Worcester but it has not changed that much but it has been in the wilderness for a while.

"When I was aged 12-15 I used to come and crowds were 6,000-7000 and it would be great to bring those sort of attendances again.

"My aim is to get Worcester back into the Conference where they belong."