WORCESTER City have made a shock early managerial appointment in the form of Richard Dryden.

Chairman Dave Boddy was due to announce the new boss at a press conference on Friday but Dryden was tonight revealed as the successor to Andy Preece.

St George's Lane legend Carl Heeley will be his assistant and they take charge of struggling City for Saturday's Blue Square North home match with Barrow.

Former Birmingham City player Dryden, 38, has been handed his first crack at the top job after being number two to Mark Cooper at Tamworth for nearly three years before they left in January.

Stroud-born defender Dryden made more than 300 Football League appearances for Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, Notts County, Birmingham, Bristol City, Southampton and Luton Town among other teams.

Heeley needs no introduction to Worcester fans following the popular centre-half's long spell at the club before joining Southern League Premier Division side Bromsgrove Rovers.