HIGHLY-RATED young boss Liam McDonald has left Redditch United to take up a new challenge at Midlands rivals Hednesford Town.
McDonald, 31, had narrowly missed out on promotion from the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier with the Reds, losing in the play-off semi-finals on penalties to Leamington after finishing second behind Poole Town.
Despite Hednesford suffering relegation from the National League North, McDonald has opted to leave Redditch and join the Pitmen, who will most likely be placed in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier, with immediate effect.
During his three years at Redditch, McDonald won the Worcestershire Senior Urn and transformed a side struggling at Step 3 into a promotion contender full of exciting young players.
The Pitmen will be hoping McDonald brings stability to the club after the Staffordshire outfit went through three permanent managers in the campaign just gone.
The former Barwell, Tamworth and Kettering midfielder will now be tasked with taking Hednesford back into the National League North and he said: “Hednesford Town are a massive club and I know they had difficulties last season. I know that they have the support base here though and I want them to get behind me and the team.
“I know that it is a rebuilding job and it is something that I am looking forward to and excites me very much.
“I would just like to thank everybody involved in making Redditch a success over the past three years. I've loved my time at the club and it will always have a special place in my heart.
“It was a really difficult decision to leave but I felt that it was my time to move on and start a new challenge. I'm sure the new man coming in will be able to carry on the good work the club have done and success will follow.”
Meanwhile, Redditch hope to build on the success of the past two seasons and have already started speaking to possible successors to McDonald.
Chairman Chris Swan said: “I would like to thank Liam and his backroom team of Nick Green and David Bridgwater for their hard work.
“These are exciting times at Redditch United with nearly £1million being invested in our new 3G pitch, improvements to the stadium and the launch of our new football academy.
“We have already spoken to a number of excellent candidates which shows how well the club is now regarded in Non-League. I'm looking forward to a new era at Redditch United.”
