Clinton Morrison - I mean business at Redditch United - The Redditch Standard

Clinton Morrison - I mean business at Redditch United

Redditch Editorial 1st Jun, 2016 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

CLINTON Morrison may now have increasing off-field commitments, but the former Birmingham City striker means business on the pitch having become part of Darren Byfield’s Redditch United revolution.

The 37-year-old revealed his long-standing friendship with Byfield was the main reason behind Wednesday’s sensational move to the Reds and the ex-Republic of Ireland international is determined to play a big role in ensuring Byfield’s reign at the Valley Stadium gets off to a flying start.

Morrison told the Standard: “I have known Darren a long time and am delighted to join Redditch and try and help the manager and the lads enjoy a successful season.

“I had numerous other offers from clubs at higher levels but this is a really good move for me. Signing for Redditch works well because my partner and kids are in Nottingham with me and it means I’m only coming an hour or so down the road for home matches.




“I’m not here to mess about, not at all. I love playing football still and will be helping with the coaching at Redditch as well.

“Obviously there’s been quite a few departures recently after the previous manager left but Darren has already brought some good players in and is working hard to ensure more follow.


“If having me here helps attract a few more to come, then that’s all the better for the manager, and I will be passing on my knowledge and experience to all of the boys.”

The capture of Morrison, who has made 45 appearances for League Two outfit Exeter City over the past two seasons, is sure to excite the Valley Stadium faithful as Byfield continues to waste no time in seeking to replace departed players including the likes of attacking aces Ash Sammons, Jamey Osborne and Sam Merson.

“I’ve been told a few people think the best we can achieve this season is a mid-table finish, but I am not settling for that. I want to win promotion or else I wouldn’t have joined,” added Morrison.

“I will be giving it my all and playing in as many games as possible because I still have that buzz of scoring goals.”

However, Morrison, who has joined on non-contract terms, revealed his move into media work is an ever-increasing personal focus of his.

“I’ve been doing quite a bit of work for the media and Sky in particular recently and obviously the longevity of football isn’t the greatest, so my media commitments are important to me now,” he said.

“I am really enjoying the media stuff and this could be a big thing for me for many years to come so I will have commitments there which may hamper my availability from time to time and the gaffer knows this, but I will do my best to juggle the two as best as I can.”

Morrison began his career at his local side Crystal Palace in 1998 and scored more than 100 goals across two spells for the Eagles.

Sandwiched in between was a spell at the Blues for whom Morrison made 87 appearances and scored 14 goals in the Premier League between 2002 and 2005 as he formed a good partnership with England forward Emile Heskey in the latter part of his time at St Andrew’s.

Morrison went on to make 91 appearances for Coventry City and also played more than 50 games for both Sheffield Wednesday and Colchester United.

He represented the Republic of Ireland 36 times at full international level – scoring nine goals – and made their squad for the 2002 World Cup.

Meanwhile, talented forward Merson became the latest player to exit the Valley Stadium this week when he made the switch to St Albans City but, with Jordan Jones, Duane Courtney and Jamie Spencer having joined the Reds in the past few days, these are exciting times and Byfield is far from finished in the transfer market.

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