FORMER fans’ favourite Mark Owen has withdrawn his application to be Worcester City manager due to “personal reasons”.

Owen had expressed his interest in the managerial vacancy following the resignation of Carl Heeley, insisting he could help bring “stability” to the cash-strapped and exiled club.

Droitwich Spa’s joint-boss had also received the backing of Worcester City Supporters’ Trust director Rich Widdowson for the top job.

However, the 39-year-old revealed there had been “developments over the last week or so” which led him to withdraw due to “personal reasons”.

Speaking to the Worcester News last week, the ex-City striker said he could “the fire back in the belly” of the Vanarama National League North strugglers if given the opportunity to be their manager.

“It would be an honour to manage the club,” said Owen, who scored more than 100 goals for Worcester.

“My heart and my mind are in it and I only want what’s best for City.”

Worcester-based Owen runs a football academy, located at the Heart of Worcestershire College, which has produced City players Dean Waldron and Jamie Smith.

“The club need stability,” he added.

“They need to plan long term, not just short term, and that includes working with more local players.

“It is also about putting out a side I can be proud of, the players can be proud of and ultimately the supporters can be proud of to get the fans back.

“Looking at the FA Cup games against Coventry and Scunthorpe the support is there.

“But it is just about getting it to breathe again and having that fire back in its belly instead of the negativity which is surrounding the club.”