Having won the Birmingham League championship in 1928/29, City fans were stunned by the news that Player-Manager Frank Womack was leaving to manage Torquay United in the Football League. On top of that, Womack was taking three City players, Fred Corbett, John Burn and Jack Byers, with him.

The Directors moved quickly to replace Womack and aimed to repeat what they had done twelve months earlier by finding an experienced professional player who was looking to go into management. Joe Smith, an ex-England and West Bromwich full-back, was signed from Womack’s old club, Birmingham, as player-manager. Although nearly 40, Smith was renowned for his exceptional fitness. His international cap had come in 1919, and he had won a Division 1 championship medal with West Brom the following year.

Smith’s first signing was his brother Horace, a winger, from Walsall. He too had previously been at West Brom, and was known for his very tricky footwork. At 25, he was some years younger than his brother.

Other new signings included full-back Harry Isherwood, who had previously played at both ends of the country during his League career. Starting with Sunderland, he had moved to Birmingham, then Bournemouth. He was a straight replacement for the departed Corbett. Inside forward Bobby Kerr, signed from Clapton Orient, would give City seven years excellent service, during which time he scored well over 100 goals. A Scot, he had been at Wolves with our leading goalscorer, Billy Boswell. Half-back Harry Staley, signed from Walsall, had a reputation as a tigerish midfield man. Two more young amateurs, defenders Vic Corbett and Wally Birch from Hednesford, were signed. Both quickly forced their way into the first team.
At the eleventh hour, Jack Byers decided not to join his old manager at Torquay, to much rejoicing from Worcester fans who idolised his direct style and powerful shooting. This was the final icing on the cake, and Byers was to score 53 League goals in the next two years.

If 1928/29 was a very good season. 1929/30 was probably the best that City fans have ever enjoyed. City scored an incredible 153 goals in a 34 game season. At home they were totally invincible, winning all their matches, mostly by cricket scores, with a six against runners up Stafford, five sevens, an eight, two nines, a twelve and a (then) club record 13 against Stourbridge, with Billy Boswell getting six, a club record he still shares. Incredibly, City went out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, with a 0-5 thumping by Wellington. City gained revenge by beating them 7-1 at home in the last match of a memorable season, and romped away with the Worcestershire Senior Cup, scoring 16 times in their three games in the competition.
All the forwards easily scored double figures, with Boswell getting 41, Russell 34, Byers 31, Kerr 22 and Horace Smith 14.

Apart from the F.A. Cup exit, the only blight on a fantastic year was a broken leg suffered by centre half Wally Birch in February. Ex-Aston Villa and England player Frank Moss was signed from Bromsgrove (where he was Player-Manager) as a replacement and did a fine job as Birch’s replacement.

The players in the team photo, which has been expertly colourised by Chris Dale, are:
Back:
Ford, Joe Smith, Harry Staley, Wally Birch, Lenny Boot, Harold Isherwood, Julie Garrett, Bevan (Trainer)
Front: Horace Smith, Bobby Kerr, Billy Boswell, Jack Russell, Jack Byers

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