FORMER Premier League striker Darren Byfield has taken his first steps into management with Redditch United after ending his playing career as a National League North title winner.
Byfield, 39, was part of the Solihull Moors squad that won promotion to the top tier of Non-League but announced his intentions to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign.
While with the Moors, Byfield held coaching roles with the reserves and academy, helping first team boss Marcus Bignot.
The forward represented 16 clubs throughout his career, starting at Villa and playing for the likes of Walsall, Rotherham United, Sunderland and Bristol City while also winning six caps for Jamaica.
Byfield, who will be assisted by ex-Redditch striker Kyle Patterson, replaces Liam McDonald at the Reds after he decided to take the manager's job at Hednesford Town. McDonald had led Redditch to second in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier before they lost to Leamington in the play-off semis.
There are exciting times at the club with £1million being invested in a new 3G pitch, improvements to the Valley Stadium and a new football academy.
“I'm delighted to be given the chance to manage Redditch United,” Byfield said. “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.”
Chairman Chris Swan added: “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.”
