REDDITCH United manager Darren Byfield will have two new faces at his disposal for Saturday’s (3pm) friendly against Bromsgrove Sporting at the Trico Stadium.
Byfield, whose side drew 0-0 at home to Walsall Wood in their latest pre-season encounter on Tuesday, has swooped to sign powerful centre back Marcel Simpson who lists Bedworth United, Daventry Town and Stratford Town among his former clubs.
The experienced Simpson played the first half of Tuesday’s game, in which Jack Coates and player-coach Danny Jackman were particularly impressive.
Also arriving at the Trico is left back Nathan Fox from Sutton Coldfield Town, who play at the equivalent level to the Reds in the Northern League.
Fox began his career at Notts County and made one Football League appearance for the Magpies in 2010. From Meadow Lane, he moved to Corby Town and has also been a regular at Kettering Town, Rugby Town and Stamford before moving to the Royals.
Byfield is also hoping to add a striker to the ranks, with the possibility of the deal being completed over the weekend.
“I’m really pleased with the business we’ve done so far, bringing in youth and experience.
“I am still working on other business and hope to get the striker deal over the line, because we’d be signing a player with proven pedigree at this level.
“I keep stressing this, but the character of players we sign must be right. In all honesty, some players who came through the door last season didn’t truly buy into the team spirit I want to create.”
Meanwhile, the 2017/18 Southern League Premier Division fixtures have been revealed. The Reds begin the campaign at home to Dunstable Town on Saturday, August 12 before visiting Kettering Town on Tuesday, August 15.
Boxing Day brings the visit of Stratford Town to the Trico before a New Year’s Day game at Hereford. The season finishes with a trip to Merthyr Town on April 28.
United will host Northern League Premier outfit Coalville Town in the FA Trophy first qualifying round on Saturday, October 28.
REDDITCH UNITED 2017/18 SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES:
Sat Aug 12 Dunstable Town H
Tue Aug 15 Kettering Town A
Sat Aug 19 Farnborough A
Sat Aug 26 Dorchester Town H
Mon Aug 28 Stratford Town A
Sat Sep 9 Chesham United H
Tue Sep 12 Banbury United A
Sat Sep 23 Biggleswade Town H
Tue Sep 26 Slough Town H
Sat Sep 30 Basingstoke Town A
Sat Oct 7 Kings Langley A
Tue Oct 10 Frome Town H
Sat Oct 14 St. Ives Town H
Mon Oct 16 Hitchin Town A
Sat Oct 21 Dunstable Town A
Tue Oct 24 Kettering Town H
Sat Nov 4 Merthyr Town H
Sat Nov 11 Tiverton Town A
Tue Nov 14 Banbury United H
Sat Nov 18 Royston Town A
Sat Nov 25 Bishops Stortford H
Tue Nov 28 Slough Town A
Sat Dec 2 King’s Lynn Town A
Sat Dec 9 Gosport Borough H
Sat Dec 16 St. Neots Town H
Sat Dec 23 Weymouth A
Tue Dec 26 Stratford Town H
Mon Jan 1 Hereford A
Sat Jan 6 Farnborough H
Sat Jan 13 Dorchester Town A
Sat Jan 20 Kings Langley H
Sat Jan 27 Frome Town A
Sat Feb 3 Hitchin Town H
Sat Feb 10 St. Ives Town A
Sat Feb 17 Basingstoke Town H
Sat Feb 24 Biggleswade Town A
Sat Mar 3 Royston Town H
Sat Mar 10 Bishops Stortford A
Sat Mar 17 Gosport Borough A
Sat Mar 24 King’s Lynn Town H
Sat Mar 31 Chesham United A
Mon Apr 2 Hereford H
Sat Apr 7 Weymouth H
Sat Apr 14 St. Neots Town A
Sat Apr 21 Tiverton Town H
Sat Apr 28 Merthyr Town A
