WORCESTER City’s shock FA Cup victory over Coventry City is a moment Carl Heeley believes will “never be eclipsed” in his football career.

After ending his seven-year reign as manager, Heeley has had the chance to reflect on his time at the club he first joined in 1994.

The 48-year-old said he had “great days and dark days” during his tenure but admitted nothing would match the joys he experienced on November 9, 2014.

After wins over Rugby, Leamington and Greenwich, City were rewarded with a trip to the Ricoh Arena to face Coventry in the first round.

But never in Heeley’s “wildest dreams” did he expect to see off the League One outfit in front of more than 3,000 Worcester fans.

After Coventry goalkeeper Lee Burge saw red Sean Geddes dispatched the resultant penalty before netting a second 10 minutes after the break.

The Sky Blues got one back through Reda Johnson, who had a first-half penalty saved by Nathan Vaughan, but Worcester held firm to secure a famous win.

In the end City suffered heartbreak as they were knocked out 14-13 on penalties by Scunthorpe United after forcing the second-round tie into a replay with a 1-1 draw at Glanford Park.

But Heeley said he would always be “immensely proud” of what his former charges achieved that season.

“I have had some unbelievable moments,” Heeley said. “But of course winning at the Ricoh will never be eclipsed.

“That’s my fondest memory in football. In my wildest dreams I never thought I would manage City when they beat a Football League club away from home for the only time in their history.

“I am immensely proud of that and of all the staff and players who were with me and we achieved that together.”

Heeley played more than 500 games for Worcester and had a spell as their assistant manager under Richard Dryden.

But the ex-City skipper revealed he did not aspire to take over as boss before being handed a caretaker role in January 2010.

“I enjoyed playing so many games under some great managers, like George Rooney and John Barton who I still speak to regularly now,” he said.

“But managing the football club was something that never even crossed my mind even when I was assistant.

“But things happened so quickly and I thought yes I will do it as I wanted to help out.”

After staving off relegation for seven straight seasons Heeley called time on his City career late last month to focus on spending more time with his family.

“Of course it is difficult to leave because nearly half of my life has been dedicated to the club,” he said.

“It will take some time to adjust to not being involved at the club.

“You have great days and dark days in football but I will look back over the last few years and focus on all the positives.

“I would just like people to remember me fondly and as someone who gave his best.”