REDDITCH United have appointed Paul Smith as first-team manager after Paul Davis left the club by mutual consent.

Davis and his backroom staff departed The TRICO Stadium following the home defeat to Coalville Town on Saturday.

Smith returns to The Reds having had a stint as assistant manager during the 2009-2010 season.

His first role in management was with Alvechurch where he made more than 250 appearances as a player.

In two seasons, he and his side achieved consecutive top-six finishes.

He then moved to Studley, where he achieved top-six finishes – the club’s best finishing positions for 15 years.

Smith joined The Rouslers in 2014 and led the club to a second-place finish in Midland League Division One.

Another runners-up place and two cup final appearances awaited Smith and his players the following season before ending the next league campaign unbeaten and becoming champions.

That season, Sporting also reached the semi-final of the FA Vase before losing to eventual runners-up Cleethorpes Town.

He departed the club in March 2018, with the team sitting top of the Midland League Premier Division with 15 games to go.

He then joined Highgate United as joint-manager this summer, but he left the club earlier this month and has now agreed to take the managerial post at Redditch.

Smith, who will confirm his backroom staff in due course, said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to manage a club as big as Redditch United.

"I want the football club and town to be united, with the supporters proud of their town and football club.

“There are solid foundations in-place behind the scenes for the club to push on.

"My next job needed to be a long-term project and, having spoken with the chairman at length, I believe we share the same ambitions – I cannot wait to get started.”

Redditch chairman Chris Swan said: “Paul’s record as manager, especially with Bromsgrove Sporting, is terrific.

"He knows how to build a team, thanks to his passion, knowledge and professionalism, and all of those attributes are key ingredients as we look to emerge from what has been a difficult start to the season.

“It is a cliché but we are in transition once more.

"I will work closely with Paul to ensure the club achieves its potential, but, immediately, all of us need to get down to work and work hard to move away from the relegation zone.

"I ask our fans to give Paul a warm welcome and, as always, give your full support because we need them more than ever.”

Smith’s first match in the dugout will be the away trip to Stratford Town on Saturday, September 22.