MARK Danks reckons Worcester City missed a trick last season having had a “better” squad than promoted pair Bromsgrove Sporting and Coleshill Town.

The City favourite turned down the chance to stay to pursue a career in the dugout, becoming player-assistant manager to Quentin Townsend at Midland Football League rivals Stourport Swifts.

Danks acknowledged last season had been tough from October onwards but revealed he had left on good terms with an open mind about a comeback in the future.

But when asked about the prospects of his old and new clubs next term, he could not escape the nagging sense of an opportunity lost after City finished fourth, nine points off promotion and 15 adrift of champions Sporting.

“I am a big believer that the largest budget doesn’t always win you the league," said Danks.

"Getting the best out of the right players can sometimes be overlooked by people who might sign players on what they have done before, thinking that gives you the right to win games.

“Fundamentally, that was proven last season because we had a very good squad that fell just short.

“I felt we were better than Bromsgrove and Coleshill but it doesn’t always come down to ability, more who has the desire to win games.

“You look at Shawbury away and Heanor away, games where you would probably take a point against teams you should beat. Those points add up at the end of the season.

“That said, our problem was drawing too many games we should have won.”

On his exit, Danks added: “I had some good chats with Snapper (City manager John Snape) about where my future lies in the game. An offer was made but I did not feel it matched what I was worth.

“I know I did not have a great second half to last season but still felt I had a lot to offer, on and off the pitch.

“I genuinely thought I could have had an opportunity to progress at Worcester and that might still happen one day. I have left it open with Snapper and we remain very good friends.

“I wish him and Worcester all the best next season, just not in two of their games.

“The chance to be assistant manager came about at a good club with someone I have known for a long time, have a lot of respect for and share footballing opinions and styles with.

“Quent and I have had a few chats and I am quite impressed by how similar we are in our attitudes over how to play, that was nice. We are hopeful it will prove to be a good partnership and I am sure it will.”

As for City’s summer recruitment, Danks afforded himself a wry smile.

“They have brought in a lot of strikers,” he quipped.

“There will be options there but at this stage of the season things can change. You don’t know whether everyone will be there when the first ball gets kicked.

“I know they will attack more. They seem to have kept the core of the squad, it is a great bunch of lads and I still have a lot of respect and time for the club because they have always given the same to me.

“It is a shame I am not there now but I had to make the right decision for me and I believe I have done.”