WORCESTER City midfielder Dave Bampton believes the club can move forward now Richard Dryden’s new contract has been signed.

The City manager put pen to paper on another 18-month deal this week that will keep him at St George’s Lane until the end of the 2009/10 season.

Although there has never been any suggestion the on-going negotiations were disrupting the team, Dryden made no secret of his desire to bring the saga to a conclusion.

A year on from being appointed as Andy Preece’s successor, the former Birmingham defender was keen to build on the foundations he has put in place.

Bampton was one of Dryden’s key additions to the squad in the summer and he is delighted the manager has committed his future to the club.

The former Swindon player said: “It’s good for the club. I think everyone is delighted for him. He’s a smashing bloke to work for and he deserves it.

“I think he’s done a good job on a limited budget and the turn-around of the squad in the close season.

“I know the last few matches have been disappointing but we would have taken where we are now at the start of the season.

“He brought me to the club and he showed a lot of faith in me. It’s good to see he’s got another 18 months in football.

“Sometimes you need that bit of stability. He’s got his ideas and players know what he wants.”

Bampton, who saw the start of his City career plagued by injury, is in line to keep his place in the team for this afternoon’s visit of Blue Square South leaders Chelmsford City (3pm).

Following a run of just one victory in the last six matches, the combative midfielder knows the team needs to find some form quickly if City are to keep in touch at the business end of the table.

“We have not had a good few weeks but there’s no better way to put it right than against top of the league,” he said.

“We have got to start picking up results if we want to be in and around the play-offs.”

Bampton added: “I am just looking now to get a good run of games and get the fitness levels up to a peak and kick on from there.”