EX-City skipper Jordan Stoddart says tonight’s Worcester derby is about showing Raiders belong on the same stage as his former club.

City and Raiders face off competitively for the first time at the Victoria Ground, Bromsgrove, in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup first round (7.45).

READ MORE | City to field "fringe players" against Raiders

Stoddart signed in November 2017 and made 56 appearances in blue and white having stepped down a level from Cirencester Town to represent the club he had supported as a boy.

He donned the captain’s armband 24 times before enduring a tough time in his final couple of months, heading to Redditch United during the middle of last season.

Recent issues at the Valley Stadium led Stoddart to pastures new, linking up with friend and Raiders assistant manager Chris Cornes at the club where his brother, Logan Stoddart, plays.

Despite the competition not appearing high on many priority lists, the tie fuelled interest, particularly once City confirmed they would opt to host it at groundshare base Bromsgrove Sporting.

An offer from Raiders to host was quickly rebuffed prior to the extent of delays to the redevelopment of Claines Lane becoming apparent.

But despite all that, Stoddart is adamant “excited” Raiders are out to “prove a point” over their own credentials ahead of getting one over on City.

“If you gave anyone from Worcester the chance of playing against City they would want to win and the lads are a bit excited and maybe want to prove a point,” said Stoddart.

“It is a match that shows how far this club has come in such a short space of time, Raiders have the right people in the background supporting everything and doing what needs to be done to push on behind the scenes.

“This game is more of a credit to the club than being about rivalry, a bit of a celebration of what Raiders are doing and to say ‘why should it only be a pre-season friendly (against City)?’

“Why shouldn’t we be able to compete and put the club’s name in the hat with teams like City? I think that’s more the point everyone wants to prove.

“Don’t get me wrong, there is still that local thing of ‘there’s only one team in Worcester’ that you sometimes hear but when it comes to the players it is about showing everyone they are good enough.

“More than being top dogs it is about showing it is not little Worcester Raiders against big Worcester City, it is just City against Raiders and that’s the way they want people to see it going forward.”

On his personal feelings ahead of the showdown, Stoddart added: “It will be a bit of a weird one going there with another team from Worcester after captaining City.

“I know Steve (Goode, chairman) really well and still get on with Ash (Vincent, manager), I know most of the players there.

“It is one I am looking forward to and I think all of the lads feel the same, particularly with it being a derby.

“Now the clubs are so close in the league structure it adds a bit of spice but it is one for us to go out and enjoy.”

The winners will progress to the last 16 of a competition that Malvern Town won by beating Lye Town 3-2 in last season's final.