THE decision to appoint Chris Cornes as the new Worcester City manager has been received potentially better than how some might have thought, but some may still have their doubts.

Had this been two or three years ago, the reaction would have been different, but this move from City right now feels like the right one.

Regardless of your thoughts and views on Worcester Raiders, Cornes oversaw their progression through the ranks from Sunday league side to Step 6 of non-league.

Before he was sacked in October 2021 at Raiders, Cornes, alongside co-manager Karl Gormley, were taking the club places in Step 6 and were on course for a promotion push.

The reasoning behind his sacking were never really explained but having moved to Sixways, people assumed it was a 're-boot' type decision, a 'freshening up' of the football club if you like.

Now many were aggrieved at that decision within the club and outside of it, but Cornes did not sit and sulk, instead, took the job at Bewdley Town in the league above.

When he took over with right-hand man Ryan Rowe, Bewdley looked destined for relegation out of the MFL Premier but they stabilised and went on to secure the 'Great Escape' in the 2021/22 campaign.

Worcester News: Chris Cornes helped keep Bewdley Town in the MFL Premier. Chris Cornes helped keep Bewdley Town in the MFL Premier. (Image: Bewdley Town)

Having kept the club up, Cornes has gone on to push Bewdley up the table and leaves them in 11th position, 14 points and six places higher than Worcester.

Part of his success at Raiders and Bewdley has been based on his ability to rely on Worcestershire talent and using his relationships with players in the area to help build success.

Now Cornes has a big challenge ahead and this is easily his biggest job yet in his short managerial career. One that puts him right in the spotlight.

But he has plenty of players to call on and will no doubt be able to bring individuals in from around the area to build a squad that represents the city and one that will want to play for him.

Cornes played for City during his playing career and despite not always getting on with the club, he definitely knows what is at stake and will understand the reputation that comes with it, which is a good start.

He arrives with a squad full of reserve team players and some senior members who have stuck with the club through a turbulent opening to the 2022/23 campaign.

He will need to add plenty to that, not least in the attack and defence department, but through his jobs at Bewdley and Raiders, and the connections he has, he should be able to put a competitive side together relatively quickly.

But this is not a quick fix and ultimately, Cornes will want to start building a squad together that can push back up towards the top of the table and begin the rebuild that has so long been talked about at Worcester City.

Promotion may not be feasible this year but it will be the goal and potential expectation next season.

What a big task he has but finally City have decided to bite the bullet and scrap any underlying differences they may have with Cornes to provide him with the chance to prove himself as manager of this football club.