New signings delight Redditch boss McDonald - The Redditch Standard

New signings delight Redditch boss McDonald

Redditch Editorial 11th Jun, 2015 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

BOSS Liam McDonald is confident his Redditch United team will once again be exciting the Valley Stadium faithful in the forthcoming season after another fruitful week in the transfer market.

Hot on the heels of the addition of talented Bedworth United pair Daniel Dubidat and Jamie Ashmore, McDonald has completed deals to bring striker Jordan Archer, midfielder Robbie Bunn, former Reds defensive ace Will Richards, defender Kyle Morrison and goalkeeper Kieran Preston to the club.

The manager is also confident of completing three more exciting transfers within the next week and feels the new faces are more than capable of covering the loss of goalkeeper Sam Hornby to Burton Albion, Jordan Jones and Calvin Dinsley to Kidderminster Harriers, Dan Scarr to Stourbridge and Ashley Sammons to Corby Town.

“It’s been a good week for the club in terms of the business we have been able to do,” said McDonald.




“I am delighted to have brought in players of this calibre who most importantly are prepared to buy into the way we do things here and are excited to be moving to Redditch.

“Jordan (Archer) is a terrific signing for us from Tividale. He’s got massive potential and I am very excited to be able to work with him.


“The deal took a long time to get over the line but it’s been worth the wait. He’s 6ft 3in, strong and has lightning pace. To have added Jordan and Daniel (Dubidat) to our attacking ranks is tremendous and I am close with a deal for another striker who, like the other two, will give us a real goal threat.”

Midfielder and local lad Bunn, 20, has made the switch from Midland Football League Division One outfit Littleton and McDonald has faith in Bunn’s ability to make a big impression with the Reds.

“Robbie is a gifted footballer and, if we can improve the consistency in his game, we could have a similar scenario to the way George Carline has succeeded here having jumped up so many levels.

“If Robbie becomes half the player George is, we will have a top player on our hands. George was my player of the season in the last campaign and has a crucial role to play in the middle of the park for us this coming season and Robbie, Liam Spink, Simeon Maye and Max Loveridge give us good competition for places in that area,” added McDonald.

Defensive solidity was key to the Reds’ sixth placed finish in the Southern League Premier Division in 2014/15 and McDonald believes the deal to bring defender Richards, 23, to the club from Stourbridge on a one-year contract is another statement of the club’s intent.

“Will was Supporters’ Player of the Season last time he was here and I think some of our fans will be amazed at how much he has improved his game at Stourbridge over the past two seasons,” said McDonald.

“It’s a great replacement for Dan Scarr who has gone the other way and I see Will as being a key centre back for us, along with Calum Flanagan and Jim Mutton.

“I am also pleased to bring in young Kyle (Morrison) from Alvechurch. He captained them several times last season and has brilliant pace for a defender. He is another local lad familiar with many of our players and has great versatility in defence and also midfield.

“Kyle was in the U18s squad here when I took over and in hindsight it was a mistake for us to let him go, but these things happen and this is a good chance for him now.”

Filling the void left by the departure of talented keeper Hornby was always going to be a tough challenge for McDonald but, with the acquisition of 18-year-old Kieran Preston on a long-term loan from newly-promoted League Two outfit Bristol Rovers, the boss is content he has another young man up to the job.

“Kieran was called into the Scotland U19 squad last season and is very highly rated by Bristol Rovers, so this is a great boost for me to bring him here,” added McDonald.

“To bring a player of international calibre to the club is tremendous and it’s a big compliment to us that his parent club believe in us to help enhance Kieran’s game.”

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Advertising

Advertise with the Redditch Standard to reach your audience

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.