Match Information
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Redditch Borough 2-1 Cheltenham Saracens
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When: Saturday 18th January 2025
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Redditch Borough Community Sports & Social Club, Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley, Redditch, Worcestershire B97 6PB
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Competition: Hellenic League Division One
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Attendance: 45
Redditch Borough firmly appeared on my groundhopping radar this season being newcomers in the National League System at Step 6.
They were promoted to Hellenic League Division One membership having clinched the Midland League Division Two title by a 12 point margin during 2023/24 only losing one game.
Admirable progress for a club which was founded in May 2006 originally commencing solely in Under-11’s junior competitions.
I’d been to the area before on Tuesday 25th October 1983 for FA Trophy First Round Qualifying Replay action watching the more established Redditch United beat Moor Green 2-0 (attendance 241) at Valley Stadium.
As an impoverished university student, I didn’t drive back then so my abiding recollection of that night was grabbing a lift to Birmingham New Street Railway Station afterwards from my good friend Dave Boddy who was commercial manager of Bromsgrove Rovers FC.
On reflection, it was a mad 15 mile dash because the last train heading for London Euston was around 10.15pm. Quite risky too since I would have missed my connection if the FA Trophy tie had gone to extra-time.
Incidentally, Dave went on to enjoy a great football administration career including fulfilling chief executive duties at Coventry City FC. Bringing the story up to date, I set off on my 240 mile round trip to Redditch Borough via the M1, M6 and M42 motorways. Redditch itself is a town housing 82,000 residents.
Ground Description
Previously called the Mettis Aerospace Sports & Social Club complex, Redditch Borough moved here in 2017. They negotiated a 30 year lease for their 38 affiliated male and female teams ranging from Under-7’s upwards.
The main pitch adjoins auxiliary playing areas hosting 11-a-side, 9-a-side, 7-a-side and 5-a-side matches. I really liked the spectator accommodation for Hellenic League fixtures.
It incorporates four separate covered standing sections – the ‘Sheila Vaughan Stand’, the ‘Chad Baker Stand’ and two structures that are both known as the ‘Julie Monk Stand’.
The ‘Pitch Side’ tea bar did a roaring trade in refreshments. Floodlights were unveiled earlier this month comprising three pylons overlooking each touchline. Furthermore, a 100-seater grandstand, additional fencing and extra entrances will be installed shortly to meet strict ground grading criteria for Step 6 football.
Meanwhile, the smart clubhouse building is split into various different rooms – namely ‘Baker Suite’, ‘Bond Suite’, ‘Charles Suite’, ‘Harris Suite’ and ‘Vaughan Suite’ – with kitchen facilities and event hire available.
Overall, it is an extensive site containing supplementary amenities for tennis, flat green bowling and racing pigeon aficionados alongside plentiful car parking provision.
Programme Details
A well-presented 20 page online production.
Contents embraced respective histories of the two teams, manager’s notes by Tyrone Henderson, league table, fixtures & results, director of football column, ‘From the Boardroom’, colour photos, club welfare policy and matchday squad lists.
The People
Redditch Borough founder/head trustee/club secretary Julian Workman is one of Non-League football’s magnificent army of volunteers.
When I arrived, Julian was precariously perched on a table carrying out adjustments to an eight feet high elevated public address system speaker. He proceeded to give me a very warm welcome plus a fascinating guided tour of the ground.
The Match
Amidst cold grey conditions, it was 5th entertaining 15th in Hellenic League Division One rankings. Therefore anyone possessing decent knowledge of Bet Builder odds in the betting stakes might have fancied a Redditch Borough victory.
Nevertheless, Cheltenham Saracens edged initial exchanges and were unlucky not to draw first blood. But the homesters ultimately gained control racking up two goals courtesy of Kai Del Kiffin (36 minutes) and Samuel Yankson (41 mins).
Away keeper Harvey Need subsequently saved Charlie Gardener’s low penalty prior to Saracens reducing the deficit through Henry Miles on 76 minutes whilst rolling mist started to draw in.
Football grounds visited: 2,617
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
