Pitchero Non League

Tom Thorley

....securing Tom Thorley for another campaign.

The influential 22-year-old midfielder has agreed to a third term at St George’s Lane after starting eighty-six games in the past two seasons.

Along with striker Mike Symons, who has also pledged himself to City for 2012/13, Thorley has been one of the key performers in establishing Carl Heeley’s team as play-off contenders.

After representing Great Britain at the World University Games in China last August, he went on to net eight goals in helping Worcester finish seventh in the table, six of which came from the penalty spot. Due to begin a teaching job in Stafford after completing his studies at the University of Worcester, Thorley is highly-regarded by City and Heeley is delighted to have him on board.

The Worcester manager said: “The key thing with Tom was that he wanted to stay. He’s enjoyed his time at Worcester and we are glad he feels like that and we wanted him to stay as well. Him and Kevin O’Connor make us tick and Tom will get a goal. “He’s stepped up and been the regular penalty-taker so he’s a big player for us. Tom is a manager’s dream — he’s first to turn up for training and he plays lots of games.

“He’s got everything you look for in a footballer and he’s also a smashing lad as well. You couldn’t wish for a better non-league player.

“He got the recognition he deserved in the student games and he’s a key signing.”

Utility player Rob Elvins and attacking midfielder Matt Birley have also agreed deals at the Lane, while negotiations are continuing with several players, including winger Greg Mills and right-back Dwayne Samuels.

Elvins, the club’s top scorer in his first season in 2009/10, began the campaign as a central defender but had migrated to the holding midfield role by the last of his twenty-nine starts.

Birley scored six goals from thirty-two appearances before missing the end of the season with a dead leg sustained in the defeat at Nuneaton.

“Rob looks comfortable wherever you play him and he’s a valuable player,” Heeley said. “Matt leads by example and is one of those players who can give everybody around him a lift.”

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