PAUL Smith has returned to Bromsgrove Sporting as manager looking to emulate his previous success.

Having left fellow Southern League Premier Division Central side Halesowen Town in late February, Smith is back at the Victoria Ground to replace Tim Flowers in the hot-seat.

With Sporting safe from relegation, Smith will take charge after the final game at home to Barwell on Saturday (3pm).

He previously led Sporting from Midland League Division One to the top of the Premier Division as well as the FA Vase semi-finals before leaving in February 2018.

Chairman Rod Brown said: "Paul is very excited to join our longer-term project in re-establishing Bromsgrove Sporting as a successful, sustainable business on and off the field.

"This exciting appointment brings Paul back to the club that he achieved so much success with.

"Since Richard (Boorn) and I have been involved and charged with re-establishing the club within the community, also giving it a greater positive visibility, building a sustainable future with greater investment partnerships off the field, we also knew the project on the field required a total rebuild.

"That rebuild we believe required a certain calibre of candidate.

"The executive board's decision was Paul is one of the best managers at this level.

"He is a serial achiever with an exceptional contacts book in non-league, something that we agree is essential going forward.

"Additional to this, he has unfinished business with the club which creates a greater motivation for success.

"Paul is fully understanding of the financial restraints there will be whilst we are building the club but he is very confident that we can build a side to compete in this league.

"The club's expectations for next season are to be a competent mid-table side, not having these 'nail-biting' ends to the season that the club has suffered over the last three years.

"We aim to achieve this and obviously the larger the crowd support, improved commercial activity and the valued sponsored support are integral to all of this. Any further upside to these areas will allow us to achieve our goals a little quicker."

Sporting secured their league status with a 2-1 victory at Stratford Town on Saturday under Flowers, writes Max Banner.

Billy Shaw gave Sporting the lead midway through the first half before Nathan Blissett doubled the lead eight minutes into the second period.

Lewis Ison pulled a consolation goal back in the 90th minute.