Chairman's View Ahead Of St Ives Town Game

I’ve just got back from business in the States so missed our performances against Bishops Cleeve and Kings Langley. I’m told the game at Kings Langley was a good turning point for the team as we went a goal down early on but battled, stayed in the match and got two goals to win the game towards the end.

Hopefully we can build on these performances particularly as we now have Kevin Monteiro fit and possibly Vinny Mukendi might be able to play some part in today’s game.

I’m also particularly pleased to report that the Redditch United Academy (which has 32 full-time students) has been accepted to deliver HND programmes next year, giving us university status. It will mean that from September there will be a dramatic acceleration of students with our first years moving on to year two, a new intake of year one students and then we’ll have those joining on the new HND course. We have already had applications for next September!

This is all going to need additional investment. Coming on the back of the recent £1,000,000 investment in the 3G pitch and facilities, it is our intention to apply to extend our clubhouse which would see it double in size. This would give us double the function room space and allow us to seat 250 for formal dinners or have 500 standing at events such as concerts.

The extension will also see the creation of four more classrooms, executive box facilities, an industrial kitchen, laundry and a number of new changing rooms to support our junior section’s use of Terry’s Fields – all very exciting.

All this will allow us to increase the club’s financial sustainability, allowing it to kick on through the leagues at both men’s and ladies first team level, put more back into the community we serve and increase from the current 1,000 weekly users of the 3G and 750 weekly users of Terry’s Fields – possibly doubling those figures.

I’m was delighted to announce recently the appointment of David Tittershill as the club’s General Manager, his impact is already being felt. We want to increase current revenues as well as manage the next phase of growth. David has done exceptionally well as Commercial Manager in the last six months.

I would like to take the opportunity of welcoming the supporters, directors and players from St Ives t.....it will be a competitive one and I hope for a positive result for Redditch at the final whistle.

Come on you Reds!

Updated 16:05 - 1 Sep 2019 by Matt Johnson