WINNING matches will be enough to bring fans through the gates at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground to watch Worcester City this season.

That’s the view of vice-chairman Colin Layland who believes City can follow in the footsteps of Hereford in climbing back up the non-league pyramid.

The summer has seen supporters voice their unhappiness at the running of the club with many deciding to boycott home games this term.

But Layland believes City, who have been in exile since 2013, will get support despite dropping three levels as they set their sights on promotion.

Worcester kick off their Midland League Premier Division campaign on Saturday when they host Heanor Town (3pm).

“People will come and watch a winning side no matter what level they are at,” Layland said.

“I think we have got a team that could go on to win the league.”

After Hereford United were wound up in December 2014 Hereford FC was set up by the Bulls’ supporters’ trust.

The phoenix club won the Midland top flight at the first attempt in 2016 before gaining promotion to the Southern League Premier Division a year later.

Layland says he also hopes City have a similar resurgence as they look to return to National League North.

“(I would like to see City) back to where they were to be honest,” Layland said.

“City were always a Conference side but never really pushed any higher than that.

“I think we will work our way back up the divisions. Hereford did it so why can’t Worcester City do it?”

Last season the Blue and Whites were battling to stay in the sixth tier of English football before being relegated on the final day of the campaign.

But it was later revealed the club’s bosses had resigned from the National League in March which resulted in them plummeting two further levels.

“We had to make that decision in March because of the finances,” Layland said.

“As a board of directors we had that responsibility to the shareholders to protect what we had got.

“It was a tough decision (to resign from the league). But it was a case of either lose more money and stay where we are or drop divisions.”

After Carl Heeley ended his seven-year reign as manager in late January all players were put up for sale which led to growing speculation over the club’s immediate future.

Former players Danny Jackman and Cieron Keane admitted the uncertainty surrounding City distracted the squad as they fought for survival.

But when asked whether City’s bosses handled the situation in the right way Layland replied: “I think we did exactly what we needed to do.

“All the board were in favour of what we did.

“Obviously players don’t want to be dropping down from where they were but we kept one or two of those players on board, like Tyler Weir and Lee Hughes who is the joint manager.

“So there are players in this team who could play at a higher level but they are happy to stay at Worcester City.”