WORCESTER City legend Graham Newton says there will be no doubt where his loyalties lie when the FA Cup first round proper match against Coventry City comes around.

The 71-year-old, who played 94 times for Worcester between 1970 and 1974, was assistant to manager Nobby Clark when the sides met at the third round stage in 1983.

On that occasion, Paul Moss put Worcester ahead before Mark Hateley and two goals from Steve Whitton sent the Sky Blues through in front of a crowd of 11,843 at Highfield Road.

Newton, who played for Coventry during the 1964-65 season, will also be present at the Ricoh Arena next weekend cheering on Carl Heeley’s side.

He said: “I have got very fond memories of Coventry, although I wasn’t there that long, but my allegiance is with Worcester. I will always be a Worcester man.

“In 1983, Coventry were top of the first division and had a hell of a side but we gave them a good game.

“Our big centre-half Kevin Tudor slipped and Mark Hateley got an equaliser out of the blue. It changed the game and they went on to beat us but we put on a great show.

“We were one of the top three non-league sides in the country at the time.”

Newton, who had spells with Wolves, Walsall, Bournemouth and Atlanta Chiefs in the USA, enjoyed a brief tenure as Worcester boss after Wilf Grant joined Hereford in 1974.

He then went to Stourbridge before returning to St George’s Lane under Clark and stayed until 1984.