BRAD Birch insists it is his “time to shine” for Worcester City after waiting his “whole career” to play for his boyhood club.

The Worcester-born midfielder stepped down two levels from Stourbridge to sign for the Blue and Whites this summer.

And the 25-year-old has expressed his desire to stay at City for the next “two or three years” as he believes he has joined the Midland League Premier Division outfit at the start of a “rebuilding stage”.

“When the gaffer (John Snape) and Lee (Hughes) got in touch before the summer there was only one answer I was going to give and that was a ‘Yes’,” Birch said.

“I know it’s a drop down in levels but it’s my home club and I want to give my all and hopefully get us back to where we should be in a few years’ time.”

The ex-Christopher Whitehead Language College student came through the youth ranks at City before making the switch to Archdales 73.

After the Worcester club’s first team folded in 2013 Birch moved to Hereford-based Westfields.

He went on to play for Bromyard Town and Littleton before being snapped up by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stourbridge last year.

But Birch admitted he had only ever wanted to turn out for City who he used to watch regularly at St George’s Lane with his grandfather Keith Birch.

“I have wanted to play for City my whole career,” Birch continued.

“I didn’t really get the rub of the green before but now I have got this opportunity it is my time to shine.

“It is a couple of steps down from Stourbridge but that didn’t even come into question. For me it is about now and the future.

“I will wear my heart on my sleeve every game and make sure we get over the finish line with three points.

“All my life I have lived in Worcester so it’s a massive honour to play for City.

“My family are proud, especially my granddad. He’s been a season-ticket holder for 20 or 30 years.

“He always goes to every home game no matter what and I used to go with him down St George’s Lane when I was a little kid.

“He says to see me go out there in the blue and white makes him proud so I am happy for him.”

Birch, who was brought up in St John’s and now lives in Diglis, says he is also delighted to link up with fellow Worcester footballer Nathan Hayward at City.

And he has vowed to help build a brighter future for the exiled club who dropped three tiers after resigning from the Vanarama National League in March.

“Everyone always says around the city that I should have been playing for City years ago,” Birch said.

“They said the same about Nathan but the chances never came our way.

“We have got it now so it’s down to us to show our worth.”

He added: “This isn’t a quick six or 12 months for me. I am looking at going two or three years down the line (with City).

“The club is at a rebuilding stage and I want to be part of that.

“Worcester City are a massive club in non-league so why shouldn’t we be successful?”