DAVID James insists playing for Bristol City in the Championship will feel like a breath of fresh air after his bitter experience at the World Cup.

England's dismal showing at the finals, and early exit at the hands of Germany, came as a profound blow for goalkeeper James, who featured in three of his country's four games in South Africa after ousting Robert Green.

While the post-mortem continues into the failure of Fabio Capello's team to live up to pre-tournament expectations, James is determined to move on and focus on the next chapter in a playing career that already spans four decades.

And he reckons playing for Steve Coppell's Robins in the Championship is the ideal antidote to any lingering World Cup blues.

"I thought the World Cup was boring," declared James, who met the media at Ashton Gate before being introduced to City fans ahead of Saturday's final pre-season dress rehearsal against Premier League newcomers Blackpool.

"I thought the best team won it but, apart from Germany, who defended well and scored lots of goals on the counter-attack against us and Argentina, it was not a tournament that will be remembered for its attacking football and flair.

"Of course, it was bitterly disappointing to go out in the way we did and at such an early stage of the tournament, because I felt we had an opportunity to do something good. But I'm not the sort of person who dwells on things and lives in the past – I have other challenges in my life.

"It's time to move on and embark upon the next project and that means trying to help Bristol City get into the Premier League. The World Cup was then, this is now.

"My last game may have been for England in the last 16 of the World Cup, but there is a job of work to be done here and I can assure you I have not come here for the grazing, even though the countryside is lovely."

James, who has agreed a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, turned his back on Celtic, Sunderland and a small fortune in wages to come to City and he admitted to thinking long and hard before deciding to call time on his Premier League career after 19 seasons.

"There were some records I wanted to extend and that was something I had to consider," said James, who boasts the most appearances and clean sheets since the Premier League was founded in 1992.

"Sol Campbell and Ryan Giggs are the only two to have played in every Premier League season and I thought seriously about whether I wanted to continue. But in the end, family had to come first and, for me to keep on playing in the Premier League, with all the travelling that would have entailed, was simply not achievable."

Yet James has not given up on the top-flight and is now setting his sights on a Premier League return with City.

He said: "Bristol's location is not the only reason I'm here. I also had to make sure I was joining the right club and there is so much to be done here. I love the West Country and, given the catchment area, it is amazing to think this area has never had a Premier League club.

"I'm not here for easy pickings at the end of my career, I'm here to get this club promoted. The plan is to play in the Premier League with City."

James is believed to have received a signing-on fee of around £500,000 and will be the highest-paid player in City's history, earning in the region of £15,000 a week. But he could have made more elsewhere and insists finance was not a factor in his decision to commit the remainder of his playing career to Ashton Gate.

"I could have earned more in the North, but money is not an issue," claimed the former Liverpool and Aston Villa keeper. "I'm here because I think this club is run the right way and has the financial base to achieve its ambitions.

"Given what happened at Portsmouth, that was very important for me. I had to ask those questions when I met the chairman, Steve Lansdown, and I was given all the right answers."

Asked how he planned to celebrate his birthday, James joked: "I'm going camping with the kids – baked beans on toast and some good West Country air." On a more serious note, he added: "I'll be going to bed early, because Monday is a very big day for me. I have to train with my new team-mates and get to know them.

"The first game against Millwall is just a few days away and it's not about being mates, it's about working hard to ensure we are ready."

James and fellow new signings Nicky Hunt and Damion Stewart have precious little time to settle in before the serious business commences on Saturday, but Coppell says he has no plans to arrange a midweek friendly fixture.

He said: "We could have played another game to see the new players in a competitive situation, but I think we will be better off working on things in training over the next five days.

"We have so many injuries, the last thing we need right now is another game.

"We'll work hard on the training ground to assimilate the new lads and we'll be ready by the time we play Millwall."