DANNY Hilditch had a brief spell in Worcester City's first team as a player - now he has been charged with unearthing young talent at the club.

City's youth team coach made a handful of first-team appearances under George Rooney's management in the 1995-96 season.

He had originally signed to play for City's reserves while studying in the city, but relished his first-team call-up when it came.

"It was fantastic. I played at right-back rather than centre-half or sweeper which is where I usually played, but I really enjoyed it and stayed there for about a year."

Various injuries and work commitments - he also teaches PE at Droitwich High School - meant Hilditch, now 26, drifted away from the club, and following a spell with Bromyard Town, he now restricts his appearances to Sunday soccer.

But he took over his new role with City in the summer, and now hopes to develop the best youngsters in the youth team, with the aim of eventually bringing a few into the first team. He is also using his position on the selection panel for county junior sides to help attract some of the county's best youngsters to play for City.

This has been reflected in an excellent start to the season in the Midland Floodlit Youth League.

"We are trying to get the youth team not as young as possible, but the under 16 and under 17 players will take precedence. It will bring them on a lot quicker with the right coaching.

"We have to try and produce players that are capable of going into the first team."

Some of them have already been given a chance in the Central Conference side, notably their top scorer Matt Upton, and several have shown great promise. Hilditch added: "Eight or nine have appeared in the Central Conference and that can only be good.

"It shows that Geoff Ashby (City's reserve coach) is prepared to give these lads a go and see if they can cope with it."

City's first team return to Dr Martens League Premier Division action at Cambridge City on Saturday. They then entertain Atherstone United next Monday.

Thursday, October 21, 1999.