The final look back through our History takes us back to our last title win - 1979. For many, Nobby Clark’s team that season remains the best Worcester City side ever seen.

Nobby successfully developed the side that won the Southern League Division 1 North in 1976/77 by attracting some of the best non-league players from the Birmingham area to St George’s Lane.

Into this category fell defenders Ralph Punsheon and Ken Lawrance (from Redditch), midfielder Kevin Deehan (from Alvechurch) and striker Graham Allner (from Stafford). Striker Jimmy Williams arrived from Dudley, and he recommended a former team mate from Sunday football, Garry Stevens, who proved to be an instant hit with his all-action midfield play and he quickly succeeded the ageing Bobby Mellor. In goal was a very promising teenager, Kevin Rose, signed from Evesham United.

They joined many of the players who starred in the 1976/77 side, including John Barton, Kevin Tudor, Malcolm Phelps, Lionel Martin and Barry Williams. Midfield dynamo Norman Pemberton had joined in the Spring of 1978. It was clear that City had something special in the making.

Surprisingly, the 1978/79 season got off to a slow start, with draws against Dartford and Bridgend, teams that City should really have beaten. Nobby decided that he needed a more experienced goalkeeper and Worcestershire cricketer Jimmy Cumbes, who had enjoyed a lengthy professional football career, signed in October.

Winger Dave Roberts, who was Nobby's son-in-law, had suffered a back injury in 1977/78 and although on contract as a player, was by now devoting most of his time to very successful commercial manager duties.

The season would be memorable for many reasons. In the FA and Welsh Cups, there were outstanding home wins over Plymouth and Cardiff and a draw at Newport County. City seemed destined for a tie at home to West Ham United in Round 3 of the FA Cup until a last minute own-goal allowed Newport to level the replay at 1-1. The visitors went through after extra time in front of a crowd of 10,223 – the last-ever five figure attendance at the Lane.

A 5-3 victory at Kettering Town in the league at the start of November stands out as one of the best City matches of all time.

Several City players were attracting attention from full-time clubs. Full-back John Barton (to Everton) and Jimmy Williams (to Walsall) were both sold for large transfer fees during the season. Barton – who made his First Division debut against Norwich City in March 1979 - was replaced by Graham Selby, who fitted in straight away. Williams was succeeded by John Bailey from Witney Town. Midfielder Barry Lowe was also signed as injuries began to mount.

City’s biggest home crowd in the Southern League since 1966 - 7,386 – turned up for the penultimate home game against Kettering, our only rivals for the Premier Division title. Barry Williams struck two memorable goals in a 3-0 victory. The championship was ours, the citizens of Worcester celebrated and for a short while City were regarded by many as the best non-league club in the country.

Our photo was taken prior to the final home game of the season, against AP Leamington, which was played the day after the Kettering match. City fielded a number of fringe players, so there are a few less familiar names here.

Standing left to right: Dave Roberts, Kevin Tudor, Bobby Smith, Barry Lowe, Norman Pemberton, Graham Selby, Graham Allner, Barry Williams , Nobby Clark, John Bailey, Ralph Punsheon, Graham Newton, Alan Wood, Bob Knight.

Kneeling: Malcolm Phelps, Kevin Deehan Gary Stevens.

The Official History of Worcester City FC is available in our online store.