IT is not often a Worcester City player can lay claim to major success on the international stage.

Although the St George’s Lane club have had personnel capped by their countries in the past — keeper Danny McDonnell by England ‘C’ and left-back Shabir Khan with Pakistan — returning with honours is a rare accolade.

But Tom Thorley’s silver medal with Great Britain at the World University Games in China has changed all that.

The midfielder was a key component as the team reached the final in Shenzhen against Japan after recording victories over Canada, Ghana, South Korea and Brazil.

Although they lost 2-0 in the gold medal play-off to a team who also defeated them in the group stages, it ranks as GB’s best finish and something Thorley is rightly proud of. He said: “It’s the best achievement by a GB team in this competition by quite a distance so it was brilliant to be a part of that.

“We had our own expectations and knew what we wanted to achieve.

“We wanted to get through the group stages and, from there, finish as high as we could. So to get to the final was an unbelievable achievement.

“Although immediately after it was disappointing to get a silver, during the ceremony we celebrated like we had won the competition. We were all ecstatic.”

But, as well as competing in such a prestigious event, the 21-year-old University of Worcester student returns to St George’s Lane having experienced a lifestyle most can only imagine.

For three weeks he rubbed shoulders with players from across the globe, gained an insight into different cultures and virtually trained full-time in high levels of humidity and exhaustive heat.

“It’s impossible to describe,” Thorley said.

“Without being there and feeling it, I don’t think you can really put it into words.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that will take a while to reflect upon properly.

“We were a really tight group and I made some really good friends from the experience.

“Hopefully, we will stick together for a long time.

“Football-wise, we played against the major countries and experienced different cultures.

“Even from eating in the dining hall, you learn things about different people from across the world.

“It’s just fascinating to see how other people live and their personalities.

“Being young, it was an invaluable experience so hopefully I can use it to my advantage.”

Now it’s back to the English weather and the small matter of helping City continue their fine start in Blue Square Bet North.

Since landing last Wednesday, Thorley played in the 1-0 win at Eastwood and 1-1 draw against Nuneaton, which has taken Worcester’s tally to 11 points from a possible 18.

He added: “On Saturday, I was slightly worried I might be a bit jet-lagged but I felt absolutely fine and, with the lads’ help, slotted in straight away.

“It’s not been a problem at all. I’ve really enjoyed the first couple of games back.

“It’s a fantastic start. We would have taken being in the play-off positions after six games so I hope we can push on and keep this unbeaten run going.”