STRIKER Mark Danks has turned down an offer to stay at Worcester City with Black Country Rangers his likely destination.

The 34-year-old, revered by City fans for his free-scoring exploits in the Conference North, returned last summer in a bid to rediscover his Midas touch.

Danks quickly put behind him frustrating short spells at a handful of Midlands pit stops with eight goals and four man-of-the-match votes from the opposition in his first seven league appearances.

But the joy proved short lived as a lack of minutes following injury and a suspension for a straight red card at Shawbury United in October.

Having found starts difficult to come by after that fateful afternoon in Shropshire, Danks dual registered with Worcester Raiders in February in a bid to gain match fitness.

He played a bit-part role for City from there, finishing the campaign with 17 starts, 17 substitute appearances and 11 goals in all competitions.

Manager John Snape revealed he had still offered Danks a deal for next season on the back of his closed-season fitness regime but that the player had chosen to seek pastures new.

“Mark phoned to say he had decided his future lay away from the club and that he would be joining Black Country Rangers,” said Snape.

“I had spoken to him over the summer and made him an offer, although the financial side was detrimental to him because of what we had to play with.

“When he came back in he scored goals and his approach play was fantastic but he suffered from a lack of minutes following his injury and that suspension a couple of months in.

“That didn’t help him but I know he has been training hard all summer and wants to come back flying, just not with Worcester City at the moment.”

While seeking a club to get game time with in February Danks said building a future off the pitch would be “the way I want to head eventually”, something Snape reckons played a part in his choice to move down one level.

“I think Mark wants to progress his career in management and coaching and he may get an opportunity sooner on that front while adding something on the pitch over there,” he added.

“He has scored goals for every club he has represented and I expect that to be the case again at Black Country Rangers.”

And while last season did not pan out in the way club or player had hoped, Snape refused to rule out another comeback for the City favourite.

“The door will never be shut for ex-players and characters like Danksy who know the game inside out,” said Snape.