JOINT-boss John Snape revealed how the creation of predominantly midlands-based leagues at the two levels above Worcester City had whet his appetite for long-term success.

As reported in the Non League Paper, Football Association (FA) guideline footprints of the new divisions at steps three and four of the National League System made encouraging viewing for the likes of City and Bromsgrove Sporting.

The Victoria Ground would have sat right on the border of this season's step four divisions with trips to the likes of Cleethorpes and Sheffield in the Northern Premier League or Wimborne and Totton, near Bournemouth and Southampton respectively, in Southern League West.

Next term, the FA anticipates City creating a rectangular patch that covers from Hereford to the western edge of Cambridgeshire, going as far north as Leicester down to Cheltenham.

Should City gain promotion from the Midland Football League Premier Division, they would be bang in the middle of the proposed area with more derbies on offer at the level above too.

That new section feeding into the National League's regional divisions is set to see midlands clubs travel east and west.

“We want to play the big sides around us," said Snape. "Games against the likes of Kidderminster and Leamington have always been big occasions and it would be the same against Stourbridge and Halesowen at the level below.

“That’s the long-term goal, to get back to playing those derby matches and the Bromsgrove game over Christmas was a good reminder of the excitement they bring.

“Our gates have been very good this season and I must thank the supporters who travel with us too. We are well supported and know there will be plenty of people there on Saturday egging us on to beat Long Eaton."

But Snape stopped short of suggesting the plans would add fuel to City's bid to go up at the first attempt.

“It hasn’t crossed my mind to be honest,” he added. “We sit in third place in a healthy position with 14 games left. We are in the mix and it could be any one of five teams that goes up.

“Bromsgrove are in the ascendency, Coleshill have shown their resilience over a couple of years now and so have Sporting Khalsa.

“Highgate have a big squad that they’re adding to by the week and all we can do is concentrate on our next game.

“Our focus is to win all of the games left and if we can do that, we have a good chance of winning the league but we need to be dominant.

“You never give up and the team has regularly bounced back from any setbacks. Our home record is quite impressive and we are one of a few teams that can feel confident of a shot at promotion."