WORCESTER City manager Tim Harris says he is ready for the "ultimate challenge" with his new side as City look to end a 40 year wait without promotion or a trophy.

Harris was speaking to City's official website earlier this week when players and coaches returned from a four month lay-off during the third national lockdown.

Non-elite sport has been suspended since late December but as of Monday, restrictions were lifted and training took place on the same day.

"It's been a nightmare for everybody but this is a great challenge for me," said Harris.

"We got the boys together on Monday and then we will train a few more times this week, so we can have a look at them and they can get to know me.

"Then we will have a few in house training games in the next couple of weeks and then we're gonna knock it on the head for a bit and let the lads enjoy a bit of freedom with the restrictions being lifted.

"So then at the end of June we can get them back in for the start of, what hopes to be, a complete and successful season."

Claines Lane is almost complete now after more hard work has gone on behind the scenes during the lockdown and Harris admitted it looked in great knick.

"I came and had a look before my interview for the job, to get a feel for it," he added.

"The pitch is looking superb, the facilities are really nice and can't wait to get started."

The non-league season was suspended back in January and eventually terminated in February so all focus is now on the 2021/22 campaign and Harris was excited at the prospect of getting stuck in and beginning the journey to ending the 40 year wait.

"Absolutely, that to me is the ultimate challenge, 40 years without success!" he said.

"We all know that managers up and down the country will have aspirations for success and we are going to be no different.

"It's going take a lot of hard work and commitment and i'm sure when we get a few wins we will start getting a big crowd here to cheer us on and hopefully put an end to the 40 year wait."