MANAGER Carl Heeley wants even more goals from Mike Symons next season after the striker agreed to stay at Worcester City.

Symons, aged 26, scored 19 goals during the 2011/12 campaign, 18 of which came in City’s run to seventh in Blue Square Bet North.

Now the newly-crowned supporters’ player-of-the-year has given the club a huge boost by committing himself for the final campaign at St George’s Lane.

Heeley said: “He has been superb for us and I was really pleased to see him pick up the supporters’ player-of-the-year award because he deserved it, although you could make a case for a few players.

“We are looking forward to working with him again next season. Myself and Matt Gardiner are challenging ourselves but we are also challenging him and we want more goals from him next season.

“We are confident he can get them and so is he.”

The City boss added: “I think it’s fair to say he had a smile back on his face when he came to Worcester. I think he will be a good player for us again.”

Symons is the second player to agree terms with the club as centre-half Stuart Whitehead is on a contract until the end of next season. However, they will not be joined by striker Will Morford after the Gloucester City hitman re-signed for the Tigers.

Morford was seen as a potential recruit for City, particularly as he shares a house with Symons in Cheltenham, but wants to stay with the club he netted 15 goals for in the 2011/12 campaign.

Heeley added: “I rate Morford, he’s a very good player but my understanding is that he has signed a new deal for Gloucester.

“He was a potential target but he’s happy at Gloucester and we respect that and we won’t attempt to change that decision.”

Meanwhile, Lee Smith has been released by the club after his contract expired following the 1-0 defeat to Workington last Saturday.

The 28-year-old, embroiled in a Twitter row which will see him appear at Gloucester Magistrates Court later this month charged with writing racially aggravated words, has only started one league game in 2012.

The striker arrived at the Lane from Nuneaton Town last September, scoring once in 12 appearances.

Heeley added: “I signed Lee because he had a good pedigree but, for whatever reason, sometimes moves don’t work.”