GRAHAM Allner believes that Worcester City can potentially be a bigger club than Nationwide League new boys Cheltenham Town.

Allner cites Cheltenham's rise from the Dr Martens League to the Third Division in just three seasons, as an example of what could be achieved at St George's Lane.

He was at Whaddon Road to see Town clinch the Nationwide Conference title with a dramatic 3-2 win over Yeovil.

Allner, who spent 18 months as assistant manager at Cheltenham in the early 1980s, said: "They have just taken off from a point that is not much better than where we are at the moment.

"Everything has gone for them - the manager Steve Cotterill has done brilliantly, the board have backed him, the supporters have got behind them and it is a bandwagon that has gone on a big roll and gathered momentum."

The new structure which City hope to have in place should help City's cause, said Allner. "A lot of work is going on behind the scenes to modernise the club and change its image. That will be further enhanced with the new stadium.

"If in the meantime we can clinch promotion then a platform will have been built.

"But it will take time and nobody can guarantee to do what Cheltenham have done, and I don't think anybody can believe that another club is going to come along quickly and do that.

"That is what we have to set our sights on doing, and with a view to that we are beginning to put plans in place."

Wednesday, April 28, 1999.