MANAGER John Snape admits Worcester City’s “vulnerable position” is hampering his attempts to hold together his squad following the exit of Brad Birch.

Captain Birch has linked back up with former club Stourbridge, whose interest was reported by the Worcester News on Monday, but City will retain his Midland Football League registration.

Snape had been steadfast over the skipper’s future despite speculated interest from landlords Bromsgrove Sporting and the Glassboys.

City could have vetoed the switch with rival clubs unable to serve the standard seven-day notice period prior to tomorrow’s 5pm registration deadline but Snape did not see any value in keeping players that want away.

“I had numerous conversations with clubs linked to Brad but the gut feeling was he wanted to see out the season with us,” said Snape.

“That has changed over the past couple of days. He feels he wants to test himself at a higher level and his former club has given him the opportunity to do that.

“It will be a dual registration but whether anything comes to fruition for us with that is something we will have to talk about with Stourbridge. I do still hope to have Brad available for the Long Eaton game, (tomorrow, 7.45) though.”

Birch follows Lee Hughes and Wayne Thomas out of the door, departures that have occurred since chairman Anthony Hampson announced homeless City could go “fully amateur” next season.

On sanctioning the switch, Snape added: “It is great having good players but you want people who want to be there for the long term.

“Everyone has their own ideas about where they want to be but the club comes first and I want players who plan to be here.

“Brad is a great character in the dressing room and a very good player. There have been a couple of blips that we got through together but he has been very good this season.

“As disappointed as I am to lose him, I wish him well at Stourbridge and you do have to consider what it is like for any player who gets the opportunity to player higher on a non-contract basis.

"You cannot stand in the way of lads who want to test themselves.

“Players will take opportunities at this stage of the season. There is usually a fair bit of movement before deadline day and the club is in a vulnerable position on the back of recent events.”

Snape hinted he would not necessarily seek a direct replacement for Birch but that he would continue to work on incomings until the final hour.

“We hope to make signings,” he said.

“The clubs that have come in for our players have intimated there may be some lads available for dual registration the other way.

“A lot depends on what is available, what I think can better us and of course we have the youngsters that will be a big part of the club moving forward.”

There is, however, fresh hope that Tyler Weir, the subject of approaches from Chippenham Town, Redditch United and Cirencester Town, could remain a part of City’s plans.

“Tyler has been negotiating with Redditch but his travel arrangements could hinder that which would be good news for us,” said Snape.