RELEASED Worcester City forward Mike Symons has re-signed with National League North M5 rivals Gloucester City for a third spell.

The Worcester management team of Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner had opted to end the target man's second stint with the Blue and Whites in order to pursue fresh attacking options.

Symons, who rejoined the Aggborough tenants from Oxford City in the summer of 2014 after a year away, scored 10 times in 45 appearances last season as he struggled to reproduce the 33 goals in two campaigns netted during his first spell with Worcester.

Joint manager Heeley had admitted the 28-year-old's release was their toughest decision when drawing up the retained list but City had to look at different ways of boosting a lacklustre goals-for column.

Despite finishing ninth in the table, Worcester only scored 54 times in 42 league games in 2014-15, which was five less than relegated Colwyn Bay and Leamington.

Symons, who has also played for Forest Green Rovers, Cirencester Town and Clevedon Town, previously made more than 100 appearances for Gloucester, scoring 28 times.

Tigers manager Tim Harris said: “I am delighted Mike has agreed to return. He’s in really good shape, very much looking forward to the season ahead and will add additional experience to the side.

“Mike is one of the best at holding the ball up in the Conference North and he will provide plenty of options to the attacking alternatives we are assembling."

Meanwhile, the 2015-16 Worcestershire FA Senior Cup has been confirmed as a pre-season competition with Worcester visiting Evesham United in the semi-finals on Monday, July 20, at the Spiers and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium (7.45pm).

In the other last-four clash, Kidderminster Harriers will be at home to the winner of the round-one tie between Redditch United and Stourbridge.

The final will be at Kidderminster's Aggborough ground on Saturday, July 25 (3pm).