GOALKEEPER Danny McDonnell says it has been a privilege' to play for Worcester City.

McDonnell wrote himself into the history books against Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday by chalking up his 300th appearance for the St George's Lane club.

During his seven-year stay, the 34-year-old, widely regarded as one of the best in his position outside the professional leagues, has endeared himself to the City fans.

Since signing from Halesowen Town in May 2000, McDonnell has twice been voted supporters' player of the year, won a Dr Martens Cup winners' medal and been capped by the England National Game XI.

One of only three goalkeepers to pass the 300-mark for Worcester, McDonnell is an unassuming character and has the utmost respect for the club.

He said: "It's taken seven years but it is nice to get there because it's a good club to play for.

"A lot of really good players have got to 300 so it's nice to be in the same bracket in terms of appearances. I like to think I've given them good service over the years.

"With due respect to Worcester, they have been really good to me over the years. That's why I haven't gone anywhere else and I have been happy to stay.

"In my opinion, it's the biggest club outside the top flight of non-league football so I have been really privileged to play for them and hopefully I can play a few more games."

He added: "I've enjoyed the whole seven years. The FA Cup game against Huddersfield was the highlight because it's what every non-league player hopes might happen to him one day, playing on TV. It was nice to win player of the year a couple of times as well."

But the one thing McDonnell, who has kept eight clean sheets this season, craves more than anything else is promotion.

He said: "The supporters have been really good to me over the years. I do feel for them.

"Every club talks about long-suffering supporters and I think Worcester have got long-suffering supporters. We have flattered to deceive a little bit over the years and we should have achieved more than we have in terms of getting to the next level of non-league football.

"We are desperately disappointed but we have been saying that for a few years now.

"But with the players we have got on paper this year it is very disappointing because we have a squad that should have been good enough to at least get in the play-offs."

McDonnell, capped by his country against Wales during the Four Nations tournament in May 2004, added: "It would be lovely if we could go up next year. It's a big if though.

"We'll just have to regroup in the summer and have a really good go for it next year.

"There are still four games to go this year so we need to try and finish as best we can - hopefully in that top seven or eight - and then take it on for next season.

"We have been a little bit inconsistent this season. Hopefully we will finish in that top eight. At the end of the day, you finish where you deserve to finish."