It’s a new era at Redditch United as the club looks to regain its place amongst the leading pack in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central during the campaign ahead.
A difficult season last time out saw them just avoid the drop having previously made the play-offs and the Worcestershire outfit wasted little time in making a change at the helm as Mike Fowler took his place in the hot-seat at the beginning of May.
He has rebuilt the team with a number of new signings, including the return of some former favourites, plus players like Harry Eden, who will be eager to make their mark at Step 3.
Eden played under Fowler at Studley, where his athleticism and sweet left-foot found favour before he went on to end last term at Racing Club Warwick in the Northern Premier League Midland Division.
“Once I knew the club wanted to sign me, there was only one place I wanted to be,” Eden told us. “This is a really exciting era for the club both on and off the pitch. It’s a fantastic opportunity and challenge for me here at a club which gives so much back to the community around it.
“With Mike Fowler at the helm directing and nurturing things, I know that this will be a professional and winning environment, one that I am honoured and excited to be part of as I know that I can thrive and grow here as a player and as a person.
“The same can be said of those around me. This club is growing all of the time with so much work going on behind-the-scenes by a committed and talented group of people.
“For me, having played under the Gaffer before, I know what it takes to play for him and the expectations that he has. He will ensure that everything is in place for us to be successful and no stone will be left unturned in our pursuit of excellence.
“This level will be new to me and I am looking forward to seeing the different types of opponent that we will come up against. There are some good-size clubs plying their trade in this League and a lot of local derbies, so I am buzzing to sample the atmosphere at each game.
“There are a lot of new faces here and the initial aim is to gel together and create the kind of environment where everyone pushes each other to succeed both as a team and individually.
“We’ll be looking to play fast and fluent football, which will lend itself to the surface we have here, and also excite the fans. It’s important that we make the Valley Stadium a tough place to come to and make home advantage count.
“Personally, I want to be able to establish myself in the team and help us achieve our targets. There’s a good feeling around the place and we’re ready to make this the start of an exciting journey for the club.”
The Reds have built up a strong programme of community and commercial events over recent years, which has gone hand-in-hand with an upturn in attendances at the Valley Stadium.
IMAGE: Redditch United FC
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