ONE of City's most prominent summer signings has rejected a two-level jump to stay put.

Full-back-turned-midfielder Aaron Roberts, who linked back up with City from Evesham United during the closed season, was approached by Southern League Premier Division outfit Redditch United last week.

New manager Matt Clarke has turned the Reds into a surprise package so far, guiding them to an unbeaten start in the league despite taking over less than two weeks before the new campaign kicked off.

And while Roberts has heard positive things about the turnaround at United, a club rooted to the bottom of the league when Covid prematurely ended last season, he insists he is in the right place.

“The gaffer told me Redditch had made an approach to sign me, I had a brief chat with Matt Clarke but nothing materialised from it and I am happy to stay where I am at the minute,” he said.

“I know we haven’t got off to the best of starts but the plan is about much more than eight games or so I don’t want to jump ship early doors and miss out on where the club is potentially going.

“It came out of the blue. I had not worked with Matt before so I don’t know him but from talking to him he seems a really nice bloke and a footballing man like me.

“Our styles would probably have worked well, it was just down to timing really. When I signed here I was thinking about the next two or three years.

“At 28, if I can grow with a club again I know I will comfortably be able to play at that level even if I am at the back end of my career, I have done it before.

“There is not a lot between the levels, it is usually just about both penalty boxes.

“We saw it when we played Stafford Rangers, even if the gap is two leagues we can give anyone a game.

"I am enjoying my football here so there was nothing in it for me but credit to Redditch, they have made a great start to the season and I hope that continues for them."

That will be welcome news for manager Ashley Vincent heading into tomorrow's behind-closed-doors trip to Coventry United (Wednesday, 7.45).

Fringe players Connor Mooney and Kurtis Mewies left for Highgate United and Atherstone Town respectively last week and an approach has landed from league rivals Sporting Khalsa for Dan Okojie.

“If we receive any approaches I tell the player straightaway and what I think about it. At this level it is always in the player’s court,” said Vincent.

“I have had the conversation with Robbo and he will be here. He has played every game, loves it here and has a new lease of life in his new position.

“He knows where he sits in this football club and is happy with that, he is a big player who wants us to kick on and get to where we should be.

“I spoke to Dan as well, he knows his position and while he has been out of the squad recently, he came in and did very well on Saturday.

“We will keep working with the players we have. At this level you cannot guarantee a player will be here a week from now unless they are on contract and that is just a fact.

“What I will say is we saw a team go absolutely flat out for Worcester City on Saturday so whether we have approaches or not, they are together and fighting for the shirt."