REDDITCH United have announced manager Matt Clarke has signed a new deal until the end of the 2023/24 season.
Clarke has kept Redditch in the top half of the Southern League Premier Central table for the majority of the season having staved off the threat of relegation last term following his arrival in September 2020.
And Clarke has been rewarded for his efforts with a new deal that will extend his stay at the club for another season after the Reds booked their place in the Worcestershire Senior Cup final earlier this week.
Clarke said: “Firstly, I’m really happy to extend my contract at Redditch. I really enjoy working with the board, the staff, and the players.
“I think how the club has progressed on and off the pitch over the last couple of years is a testament to the hard work of a lot of people and the change in culture across all areas of the club.
“We said two years ago it was about stabilising and trying to change the perception and mindset of others. We certainly have a long way to go on the pitch but I think everyone can see the progression.
“I work very closely with the chairman, and we share similar visions. It’s been a pleasure working together and hopefully, we can keep pushing and making small steps both on and off the pitch.
“I am blessed to have such a great group of staff that stretch and challenge the group including myself. I pinch myself sometimes, we now have two physios, a data analyst with GPS vests to monitor training and games, as well as two A-licence first team coaches and I am due to start my A license in May.
“I also want to say what a huge part the supporters have played over the last couple of years, the incredible support to myself and the players and particularly, the huge support when things are not going so well.
“Our target for the season is a top-10 finish and hopefully some silverware. We are moving in the right direction, and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
Redditch United chairman, David Faulkner, added: “We are delighted to have secured Matt’s extension. After years of instability, we now have our firm foundations and Matt is one of the rocks that we have built from.
“Many of the teams across non-league that have had success have done this by building over multiple seasons and we as a board value this stability, something we know our supporters value too.
“We are in a very privileged position in that we can now look ahead to planning next season whilst also having so much to play for this year too.”
