REDDITCH United have appointed Tim Harris as the club's new manager.

The 58-year-old arrives at The TRICO Stadium with a wealth of experience, having enjoyed managerial spells with Forest Green Rovers, Cinderford Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport County and, most recently, Gloucester City.

During two spells as manager with Gloucester, he first steered The Tigers away from the Southern League Premier Division relegation zone in 2006, before becoming General Manager.

In that position, he oversaw City’s promotion to the Football Conference at the end of the 2008-2009 season by beating Farnborough at Wembley.

His reputation and considerable influence attracted Newport County to his services before the start of the 2009-2010 season, with the Welsh side appointing him as Director of Football. He proved a pivotal figure during a five-year spell, which included historic promotions to the Conference South and Football League.

In February 2014, he returned to Gloucester as manager and, once again, saved the club from relegation.

Redditch United chairman Chris Swan said: “On behalf of the board, players, staff and supporters, I would like to formally welcome Tim to The TRICO Stadium. Upon meeting Tim, it became clear that his experience and vision for the future was exactly the kind of profile needed to take the club forward.

“Off the field, Redditch United is in a strong and sustainable position, so the time is perfect for the footballing side of the club to be developed and progression up the football pyramid. We both share the same ambitions, and we look forward to delivering what the supporters have been waiting for and deserve.”

Tim will be familiar to Redditch supporters after donning the red jersey previously, and he is confident that his work ethic and experience, along with the way the club is built and being run, will allow The Reds to move up the table.

He said: “I am proud and thrilled to become the new manager of Redditch United. Having met Chairman, Chris Swan, and General Manager, David Tittershill, I believe the club and I are the perfect fit.

“This is an ambitious club, and it was vitally important to myself that my next move in football was to a club that has potential, together with an infrastructure in-place to progress.

“I am looking forward to working with the board, players, staff and supporters, to deliver lasting success that the whole town of Redditch can be proud of.”

Harris was in the stands for Saturday’s Evo-Stik Southern Premier home clash with Weymouth before taking charge of the eagerly-anticipated Boxing Day home fixture with Stratford Town.