JORDAN Stoddart reckons dropping a level to join boyhood club Worcester City will prove a temporary state of affairs.

The Worcester-based defender, 25, had played every match bar one League Cup tie for Cirencester Town prior to being lured by his hometown team.

As a youngster, Stoddart frequented the terraces at St George’s Lane with dad Phil and then his friends before venturing further afield to take in away matches.

And with halcyon days such as the FA Cup tie with Huddersfield Town fresh in the memory the new recruit is determined to help rejuvenate City’s on-field fortunes.

“I used to go down to watch with my dad and a few of my mates,” said Stoddart.

“We would sometimes try to travel to the away games on the train and I remember going to the FA Cup matches.

“The Huddersfield tie at home was great. I was ball boy for a few years as well with my mate from school.

"It was great to be around and after that playing for City was something I always wanted to do.

“My dad always kept an eye on City but once I started playing he came to follow me so he was made up when I signed.

"I had a lovely text off him when it came through and he said he had received a few messages himself.

“It was a proud moment for him. As a player I have always wanted to play at the highest level I could but he understood why I moved and supported the decision.

“Cirencester are a great club and I get on really well with the manager Charlie Griffin. He showed a lot of faith in me and I played a lot of games there.

“I was happy with my performances but heard whispers Worcester had come in. Snapper (joint-boss John Snape) sold the club to me straight away — not that he needed to.

“I have wanted to play for Worcester for a long time and don’t see it as dropping down.

"It is a hard league to get out of but I feel we should be at the next level, maybe the one above.

“This is the start of a project to get there so it was appealing to me straight away and I am so happy to be here.

“I have played in the division above for the past three or four years and we should definitely be in that league and challenging.

"We have more than enough ability.”

Today's scheduled trip to AFC Wulfrunians has been postponed due to frozen snow on the pitch.