WAYNE Spicer has become the latest man tasked with reviving the fortunes of Redditch United.
The former Bilston Town boss this week took the reins at the Trico Stadium following the departure days earlier of Duane Darby.
In a bizarre twist, Darby left the Reds just 48 hours after the club had unveiled Mark Jones as the new assistant manager to the former Torquay United, Hull City and Rushden & Diamonds forward.
At the time of the appointment of Jones, who was manager at Lye Town before the switch to the Trico Stadium and was also previously first team coach at league rivals Stourbridge, Darby had said: “We are taking advantage of the additional downtime this summer and making sure the club will be in a much better position next season.
“Mark is someone with a great knowledge of non-League and will open up additional options for recruitment, as well as be a great support for Redditch United. He’ll be an invaluable asset as we push on in the next campaign.”
Just days later though, it is again all change at Redditch as Jones appears to have followed Darby out of the exit door and Spicer attempts to improve on the efforts of the likes of Paul Davis, Ian King and Darby who, for whatever reason, have failed to enjoy any spells of success.
Not since the days of Paul Smith – who departed to take up the managerial position at Halesowen Town – have Redditch looked likely to trouble the sides at the top end of Southern Premier Central.
However, Spicer will start his time as Reds boss with the team still in that division following the decision to null and void non-League football in 2019/20, with no promotion or relegation at the Reds’ level.
Speaking on the arrival of Spicer, United’s director of football Sajid Ali Mahmood, said: “I am very confident in Wayne’s appointment and I am sure we will all get behind him and his team.
“Wayne is a young and exciting prospect who has played extensively at non-League level as well as successfully managing various clubs – most recently Bilston Town.
“As well as his playing success at various clubs, a particular strength he has is identifying talented players and coaching them up, with many of these players now competing at our level and even higher.
“He is ambitious, well connected with extremely high standards and expectations for any team he manages.
“This is a very tough time for non-League clubs. With the unprecedented conditions we are operating in, we need the support of our fans more than ever.
“Redditch United needs to combine ambition with management within this environment.”
Spicer, who resigned from West Midlands Premier Division club Bilston on Sunday having previously managed Black Country Rangers and Wolverhampton Sporting, said: “There is a clear vision from the owner and the board to deliver success and trophies.
“That is something that appeals to me as manager and I am thrilled at being able to work with everybody at the club to help make that vision a reality. I will be announcing my backroom staff in due course.”
Spicer’s exit comes as a blow for Bilston, who sat fifth in the table – one place off the promotion spots – before the season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
