WHEN Carl Heeley took over as manager in 2010 he was already considered a legend by Worcester City supporters.

But after seven memorable years at the helm Heeley’s status has risen even higher and leaves behind huge shoes to fill following his exit at the weekend.

With no ground and growing uncertainty surrounding the club’s future, Heeley, 48, has faced more adversity than most managers in English football.

However, each season he managed to stave off relegation and at times even threaten to get into the play-off places.

Having played more than 500 games and captained the club in many of those, there was perhaps no better candidate to replace axed boss Richard Dryden than Heeley.

During his playing career he was known for his full-blooded, no-nonsense approach on the pitch and he did not take long to stamp his authority from the dugout.

He got off to a winning start as caretaker manager in January 2010, beating Weymouth 3-1 at St George’s Lane, before being handed the top job two months later.

But no one could have anticipated the ride Heeley would take the City faithful on over the forthcoming seasons.

Of course it could have all been different had Farsley Celtic not resigned from the league as Worcester were reprieved of relegation in 2010 after finishing in the Conference South’s bottom three. The following season City switched to the Conference North where Heeley really proved his worth in the hotseat.

After retaining their status in the 2010-11 campaign Heeley sent his team on an exhilarating play-off chase in 2011-12 before falling just seven points short of the top five in seventh position.

Such highs in the league could not be repeated, although a ninth-placed finish in the 2014-15 season came close, but further challenges were thrown his way which he admirably overcame.

On Saturday, April 27, 2013, an emotional Heeley led his side out for the final time at St George’s Lane in front of more than 4,000 fans.

The ground, which had been City’s home for 108 years, was demolished in place of housing, forcing the club to groundshare at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough.

However, such is the strength of Heeley’s character he continued to march on and soon helped create memories Worcester’s fans will savour forever.

Victories over Rugby Town, Leamington and Greenwich Borough saw Heeley’s men secure a plum FA Cup first-round tie against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena in November 2014.

Sixty-four places separated the two sides but Worcester defied the odds to claim a stunning 2-1 victory over the League One outfit thanks to a brace from Sean Geddes which put the club and the city on the map.

A 1-1 second-round draw at Scunthorpe United followed before agonisingly going out 14-13 on penalties — the longest shoot-out in the competition’s history.

And City’s new-found love affair with the cup continued as they reached the first round proper a year later, losing 3-0 at Sheffield United.

Those exploits not only gave the cash-strapped club a welcome funding boost but cemented Heeley’s place in City’s folklore as he also staved off relegation last season from an increasingly-competitive division.

In the end, his departure came in sorry circumstances with his side, now sharing at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground, on a run of 10 matches without a league win.

However, Heeley can hold his head high knowing his legendary status at the club he first joined more than 20 years ago remains well and truly intact.