WORCESTER City have raised the bar.

By finishing ninth in Vanarama Conference North, they exceeded all expectations for their second season in exile at Kidderminster Harriers.

That they also rode the wave of euphoria generated by the club’s most successful FA Cup run for 30 years has ensured that 2014-15 will be hard to top.

Of course, nobody can realistically expect a repeat of the scenes at the Ricoh Arena or Glanford Park next season. While they would be most welcome, cup runs cannot be taken for granted and also rely on the luck of the draw.

What the Blue and Whites achieved — getting to within a missed penalty of the third round proper — was remarkable. It could happen again next year but it could just as easily be another 30.

City’s focus will, quite rightly, be on trying to improve their league position, but to repeat that achievement will be equally as tough.

Since leaving St George’s Lane, Worcester have made steady progress on and off the pitch and being part of the play-off mix, as they were at the turn of the year, highlighted that.

But it was far beyond what was expected at the club and, in securing a top-10 finish, it would be fair to say that they have punched above their weight.

Joint managers Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner now find themselves with the task of building on that and perhaps pushing for the play-offs.

Which may sound overly optimistic but what is wrong with setting their sights high? City’s chief aim in exile has been to remain in non-league’s second tier and that has been comfortably achieved.

If they can do better next term, then great. If not, a mid-table finish wouldn’t exactly be a disaster.

But, unlike last summer, Heeley and Gardiner face something of a rebuilding project over the next few months.

The team that saw them climb the table, beat Coventry and run Scunthorpe mighty close has been broken up, something that took its toll late on in the campaign despite the commendable finish.

While Kyle Haynes has stepped into the right-back role vacated by George Williams with aplomb, filling the boots of Wayne Thomas and Graham Hutchison won’t be so easy.

Jacob Rowe has performed admirably when called on and could stay but at least one more centre-half will be needed; two if Anthony Charles moves on as it appears Rob Elvins’ future lies in midfield.

There are also set to be major changes in the forward department given City’s struggle to score enough goals.

Sean Geddes and Daniel Nti got a sizeable chunk of the goals City did score so, assuming Nti stays and another club doesn’t come in for Geddes, who is under contract, new faces will be required.

All with the same budget restrictions.

The bar has been raised. Let’s see what happens.