NEIL Lyman may have the trappings of a professional sportsman's life -- but he has not forgotten the club which helped start his career.

The prop forward's first taste of club rugby came at Kidderminster Carolians, the newly crowned champions of Midlands West Two, and he still follows their progress.

"I look out for their results every week," said Lyman.

He joined KCs as a 16-year-old and spent four happy seasons at Marlpool Lane but, as his talent developed, so his desire to move grew.

Lyman earned a call-up to the England U21s squad and that ultimately prompted a move to Moseley -- although he claims the chance of a tour to Texas was a greater pull still!

"A few senior clubs were interested but Moseley were still in the first division so I thought I would go there," added the 29-year-old.

"I knew a few of the boys there, including Steve Lloyd and Ian Stooksbury, and that was another reason to go.

"I had five seasons there and they were good days. We were relegated and at times we struggled but they were a good bunch of lads just like here at Worcester."

Lyman moved to Sixways in 1994 and his career has grown alongside the club's profile with promotion from Midlands One to their current level in Premiership Two.

These days, Lyman is one of the few survivors from those days in the Midland leagues.

Players have come and gone yet Lyman has started all but two of this season's league matches.

And he is a great believer in players following his route, being groomed at junior clubs before stepping up in class.

"We don't want to get like football with too many foreign players it won't help the game," he said.

"Everybody knows the academy is playing well here and hopefully they can keep on coming through and Worcester has a good rapport with the junior clubs."

Lyman is still determined to reach Premiership One but if the legs become too weary for the fight at the highest level a return to his roots has not been ruled out.

"It would be good to go back to Kidderminster at some stage and enjoy my rugby," he added.