THREE years ago, playing football was not high on the agenda for Worcester City goalkeeper James Dormand.

Having seen his career in the professional game with Birmingham City ended by a knee injury, he turned his back on it altogether after dislocating his collarbone playing for Bromsgrove Rovers.

Instead, he focused on building up two businesses — one raising funds for childrens’ hospitals with the charity Kick It For Kids and the other providing football coaching in schools.

It wasn’t until last season, following more than two years in the wilderness, that the 25-year-old was finally tempted back between the posts when current City assistant boss Matt Gardiner drafted him in as cover for Redditch United.

During eight games with the Reds, he caught the eye of Worcester manager Carl Heeley while playing against the St George’s Lane club last January and was signed in the summer.

Now, 13 games into the campaign and with City fifth in Blue Square Bet North, Dormand says he has rediscovered his passion for the sport.

“I am thoroughly enjoying myself,” he said. “That’s the whole point, there’s no point working all week and not enjoying it, otherwise you might as well not bother.

“Matt gave me the opportunity last year at Redditch to get back into it and start playing again — I wasn’t enjoying it a few years ago.

“I played against Worcester and Carl liked what he saw and was interested so I thought I would give it another crack.”

He added: “Last year when I came back in at Redditch I did well but that was in a struggling team so I had more to do.

“I don’t think I have hit that form yet but we are doing well so I am not called upon as much.

“I am slowly getting into the groove of playing week in, week out so hopefully my form will improve.”

From the age of 16, Dormand spent four years with the Blues, signing professionally when he was 19. He was then loaned out to Tamworth, Stafford Rangers and Boston United but three knee operations forced him out of the full-time ranks.

Dormand tried his luck in the part-time arena with Halesowen Town and later Rovers, who no longer exist, but walked away after his collarbone injury.

Having returned, and showcased his razor-sharp reflexes in several impressive performances for City, the highly-rated custodian believes his new team have the capability to succeed.

He said: “We were favourities to go down this year and that was a surprise with the quality we have. It’s a very good squad and large as well, there are loads of lads who are quality at this level.

“It’s a cliche but we’ll take every game as it comes but I would rather be where we are than fifth bottom.”

However, despite his new lease of life, he does not harbour any ambitions to play full-time again.

“I don’t think physically I could go full-time and it would have to be a hell of an offer to move away from what I have worked the last four years to do,” he added.“I am 25 now but I only think I’ll be playing non-league football until I’m about 32.”