THE last 12 months have seen progression on the pitch at Worcester City and I believe 2012 can be better.

We are overjoyed at being sixth in Blue Square Bet North at the turn of the year and if we can keep stringing unbeaten runs together, we are going to stay there, no doubt about it.

The speed of improvement since the days of Conference South has surprised me but it has been a pleasant surprise.

One of the first managers I spoke to when I took over was Adie Britton at Bath City in the Conference Premier.

We are similar-sized clubs and Bath went through a barren spell when they struggled for a long time, not too dissimilar to Worcester.

But they are now progressing year on year and it’s a model we looked to adapt.

It’s fair to say in 2011 we have moved ourselves on from where we were and given ourselves the chance to take it to the next level.

After struggling in Conference South, moving into the north section, rebuilding and challenging immediately was going to be near-impossible.

It can be difficult to attract players unless you have got ridiculous amounts of money to spend, which we haven’t.

Last season we wanted to consolidate so we could hopefully bring quality players in during the summer who thought there was an opportunity to challenge at the right end of the table. I think we have done that.

If I’m honest, I wanted to progress a little bit more last season, when we finished 16th, but the size of the squad and terrible bad luck with injuries hindered us.

Now confidence is really high. Even when we lost heavily at Droylsden, Altrincham and Guiseley, there were no tea cups thrown, the players knew they had let themselves down with their performances and they were determined to correct it.

It has been a squad effort so far and, although it is not fair to single people out, you have to start at the back. Goalscorers win you games but defenders and keepers win championships.

James Dormand gives us a presence in goal and there is the calmness of Lee Ayres alongside the raw talent of Jacob Rowe at centre-half. Ryan Clarke and Neil Cartwright both bring experience at full-back and that back five is what you build everything on.

We have quality in the middle of the park, a target-man in Mike Symons and the raw pace of Michael Taylor.

He has become a favourite with the fans, who can also play their part in our success.

It was great to get three points against Gloucester City on Boxing Day but to see 1,500 in St George’s Lane was fantastic so our supporters deserve a huge pat on the back.

If they can turn out in those sort of numbers for the rest of the season, we will stay where we are in the table, if not do better, and I am certain of that.