REDDITCH United have appointed former Aston Villa and Walsall striker Darren Byfield as their new manager.

The 39-year-old, who is also a Jamaican international, will bring in Kyle Patterson – a former Reds striker – as his number two.

Club chairman, Chris Swan, admitted there had been no shortage of high calibre applicants but felt the former Jamaica international was the stand-out candidate.

He said: “His passion, professionalism and sheer determination shone through at the interview and we’re delighted that he will be taking his first steps into first team management with Redditch United.

“We have a reputation at the club for developing talented individuals – both players and managers – and we have no doubt that Darren has a promising career in management ahead of him.

"He has played football at the highest level and now wants to replicate that success on the sidelines.

“Kyle is a familiar face to us having been one of Liam McDonald’s first signings. He knows the club and, like Darren, has extensive contacts in the area having played for a number of non-league teams.”

Byfield was player/coach with Solihull Moors last season where he also managed the u18s and Reserves.

He said he was looking forward to joining Redditch at an exciting time for the Valley Stadium side – a new football academy opens in the autumn and work has started on installing a cutting edge 3G pitch, part of a £900,000 project that will also see other major improvements around the ground.

“I’m delighted to be given the chance to manage Redditch United,” Byfield admitted.

“The club has just had a brilliant season, just missing out on promotion, and both Kyle and myself are determined to carry on the good work started by Liam McDonald.

“I’ve learnt a lot in my time at Solihull, working with manager Marcus Bignot who I consider to be one of the best in non-league football.

"Now it is time for me to put all that knowledge into practice.”