REDDITCH United have appointed former England international and Premier League winner Tim Flowers as their new manager.
Flowers left Redditch’s local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting at the end of last season after successfully guiding the Rouslers to safety in the Southern League Premier Central.
The 57-year-old replaces Matt Clarke in the Valley Stadium dugout after the latter stepped down from the manager’s role earlier this month as he faces a number of criminal charges.
Flowers said: “I’m delighted to be here, I really am. I’m proud to be here and I’m looking forward to a challenge, it’s a tough league where anyone can beat anyone.
“The football club has come off the back of a tremendous season last year with some fantastic footballers, and people will be expecting the same so we’ve got to shape and mould a squad so we’re ready for next season.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans, I came to the Needham game (the last game of the season), and there was a fantastic atmosphere, all sides of the ground were in good voice and the place was rocking. Hopefully, the fans will turn up like that again to watch us early doors to help us get the results and try to match what we did last year.
“The plan is to have a right good go.”
Redditch chairman, David Faulkner, added: “There are a number of essential criteria that we were looking for in our next appointment. Most notably was to have a manager who could provide for us what our supporters have constantly asked for – stability.
“Tim’s experiences as a player at an elite level, and his success as a manager of the top tier of non-league, will provide a long-term plan for us to continue to build on the performances of the team, alongside the growth of the club. Tim had a very successful time at Solihull Moors, narrowly missing out on taking them into the football league.
“In his most recent years, he has spent time at teams in our League which now provides our club with access to a local network of players which is integral at our level of football. At interview, we were very impressed with his knowledge of our squad and the players and teams around us.
“One of the things that came across very strongly when we met was his desire and passion for being at Redditch United. Tim shares our belief that stability is key in non-league and he has been very keen to be part of our progress moving forward.”
As a player, goalkeeper Flowers famously lifted the Premier League trophy with Blackburn Rovers in 1994/95 and earned 11 England caps.
Following his retirement from playing, he led Solihull Moors to second in the National League in 2018/19 and has since had spells in charge of Stratford Town, Barnet, Gloucester City and Sporting.
The club also confirmed Flowers’ backroom staff will comprise of Ryan Conneely as first team coach, Dan Price as goalkeeping coach and Auz Shah as physio.
Redditch’s former assistant manager Keron Jackson, who took charge of the club’s final 10 games of the 2023/24 season on an interim basis, departed the club last week
