REDDITCH United's plans for the new season have been given a boost with a surprise new signing for the backroom team.

Journalist and entrepreneur Dave Lawrence has been revealed as the club's first general manager.

The new role will see him responsible for the day-to-day running of the Valley Stadium operation while also bolstering our links with businesses and the Redditch community as a whole.

The football club is busy with a number of ambitious projects including the installation of a cutting edge 3G pitch and extensive improvements to facilities. September will also see the launch of our own academy in association with Bournville College.

Redditch United chairman Chris Swan said: “With so much going on at the club on the back of an investment of nearly £900,000, it is essential that we have the right people in place to take the club forward.

“David knows the town inside out, has great contacts and is perfectly placed to help the club develop. He has worked with us on various projects over the past few years and I’m delighted that we can now announce that he has joined the Redditch United set-up.”

Mr Lawrence's links with the football club go back 30 years to when he started covering football matches at the Valley Stadium for one of the local newspapers.

Since then he worked for a number of newspapers around the country before launching his own sports agency and media business.

He said: “I have been fortunate to report on football at every level from England and Wales internationals right down to non-league games where you could count the fans on one hand.

“But it all started at Redditch United and the club has always been special to me. So I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to take on such a key role at one of the most exciting times in their 125 year history.

“Things have been improving on the field for a number of seasons and now we need to replicate that success by building and developing our links with businesses, schools and communities around the area.”