It is hard to believe that Redditch United have a very good chance of earning for promotion to the National League North/South for the first time.
Currently, the team in red sit in second place, just behind Needham Market in the race for promotion and this is the first time in a while Redditch seam to be in position to capitalise.
There is no doubt that it has been a turbulent time ever since David Faulkner took over as Chairman as the club were almost relegated in the 2019/20 season but were ironically saved by Covid.
The Reds finished ninth last season which was seen as a success by Faulkner as he rewarded Clarke with a fresh new contract until the end of this season.
At the start of the campaign, there was not much optimism around the club as it seemed like it would be another season of trying to consolidate their position in mid-table of the Southern Premier Division.
They won one of their opening three matches as they struggled to gain consistency with their new players as the Reds lost majority of their players from the following season.
Faulkner did well to sign four new players in a week being: Jamie Insall, who then left for Worcester, Liam Armstrong, Lucas Yeomans, and James Bowen.
Redditch-Born attacker, Johnny Johnson was then signed having been released from Blackpool’s academy. All of these signings would have taken it’s toll on the squad especially when the likes of Reece Flanagan and Ryan Wollacott have been here for several years and are the gel in this side.
Furthermore, another four players were announced as Musa Ceesay, AJ George, Jamie Melbourne, and Johnny Johnston all joined the squad to help out for the season ahead.
Around November and December, things started to collect heat as Redditch recorded six wins on the trot in the league and which helped the side start to realise, they could be a title challenger this season.
After a tough start to the calendar year with one win in three, the Reds are back to form winning four of their last five games and bridging the gap between themselves and the impressive Needham Market in the race for first.
It is important to note that, only first gains automatic promotion to the Step two and from second down to fifth, you will have to fight it out in the play-off dog-fight.
Redditch will also have one eye on the Needham Market double header on Tuesday March 19 and on the final day, Saturday April 27.
The next battle for this Redditch United side is a visit by bottom side Berkhamsted who will be starving for victory having only won once this season coming away against Hitchin Town in December.
