REDDITCH United manager Darren Byfield has expressed his delight at the attitude shown in training by both his players and those looking to earn deals with the Reds for the upcoming Southern League Premier Division season.
The Reds started pre-season training on Saturday and Byfield already has ten players committed for the new campaign and around a dozen more bidding to earn a move to the Valley Stadium.
Redditch begin their pre-season campaign with a trip to West Midlands Regional League Premier Division outfit Bridgnorth Town a week on Saturday and Byfield told the Standard he is very pleased by the early signs as he bids to put together a side capable of mounting another promotion push.
“We had 23 players at training on Saturday and 21 on Tuesday and I have to say the attitude shown by all of the players was first class,” Byfield told the Standard.
“It is still early days really because even now managers can get setbacks in respect of players they are expecting to join suddenly turning their back on an agreement, but I am happy with where we are at.
“I was particularly pleased with what I saw from the younger lads including defender Cameron Young and striker Jason Cowley and both are going to be fully involved with the first team this season.”
Familiar face in contention
Byfield confirmed former Reds midfielder Liam Spink, who impressed for Bromsgrove Sporting last season as they finished Midland League Division One runners-up, had been an enthusiastic part of the training sessions and had a strong chance of being part of the United set-up by the start of the season.
“Liam has proved himself to be a capable player at this level before and has got the bit between his teeth, but I will assess that one over the next few weeks,” added Byfield.
“I have pretty much got the players in that I really wanted, in respect of building the spine of the team with Clinton (Morrison) up front and Duane Courtney and Clayton McDonald at the back.
“We don’t have that type of experience in midfield but I am not too concerned with that because I think we have enough flair in there to cover that.
“There is a possibility I might make an addition in there of someone with good experience, but that’s ongoing at the moment and I will be revisiting that one over the next week or two.
“I am targeting youth now to sprinkle the magic dust, if you like, on to the spine we’ve created and I’m confident there’s a good base for us to build on.”
