DUAL-registered Tyler Weir has pledged his allegiance to Redditch United over Worcester City for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old penned terms with the Southern League Premier Division outfit shortly before the registration deadline on the back of uncertainty over City's playing budget for next season.

Manager John Snape has since gone the extra mile to try to convince Weir and captain Brad Birch, who signed a similar deal with Northern Premier League Stourbridge, to prioritise City’s matches.

But while his bid to lure back Weir has failed, the popular full-back could still feature for City after the Midland Football League extended its season until Monday, May 7. Redditch play their final fixture nine days earlier.

“The priority is to stay with Redditch,” said Weir.

“If I can help out at Worcester then I will but I want to get as many minutes as I can with Redditch for the rest of the season.

“It was a tough decision. The gaffer (Tim Harris) has been very good to me at Redditch, on and off the pitch, he has made me feel very welcome and that played a big part in my choice.

“Redditch is a club that is going places. You can see that from the facilities and the football we are trying to play.

“It is all up in the air at Worcester at the minute, I am not even sure whether they know what is going on which is a shame.

“They say they won’t be going amateur next season now so that’s a big thing and if they get promoted, it sounds like the club is going to back them. It is better than the situation looked two weeks ago.

“I am happy about that and if I can help them to get promoted then I will. I hope they get the ground sorted out and the club can kick on like we know it can.

“I will probably be back at Worcester one day, maybe sooner rather than later, but my priority for now is Redditch United.”

Weir also admitted his step up two levels had whet his appetite.

“I just want to enjoy my football again. With Worcester stepping down it was a bit of a drop from the level I had played at before,” he added.

“In hindsight, I don’t know whether I should have stayed (at Worcester). I don’t regret that choice, though, I have left with Worcester in a good position and hope the lads can see it through now.

“I am very grateful to Snapper (City boss John Snape) and I hope he can do it for himself as much as the club because he has put so much effort in.

“He has been on the phone asking me to come back ever since I signed at Redditch, he has not stopped."