Redditch United Football Club, nicknamed “The Reds,” is a non-league football club based in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Established in 1891, they currently compete in the Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Central, which is part of the seventh tier of English football. The team calls Valley Stadium their home ground.
One of the longest-established football clubs in the Midlands, the club began as Redditch Town in the Birmingham Combination League in 1891. They quickly made a mark by winning the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1894. Their early FA Cup campaigns in the 1890s saw initial success but were marred by withdrawals due to various challenges. After dropping to local league football in 1896, Redditch rejoined the Birmingham Combination in 1908 and resumed FA Cup competition, although with limited success before World War I.
The club experienced prosperity in the 1930s and 1950s, winning the Birmingham Combination in 1952 and 1955. In 1971, they added “United” to their name and reached the FA Cup first round for the first time, drawing a record crowd against Peterborough United. By 1975, they were promoted to the Southern League Premier Division, and in 1979, they became founder members of the Alliance Premier League. Despite struggles, they had notable moments like another FA Cup first-round appearance in 1989 and a historic double promotion in 2003/04 under manager Rod Brown, securing a place in the newly formed Conference North.
In recent years, Redditch United has continued to develop, notably installing a 3G playing surface in 2016 and launching a full-time academy. The women’s team achieved a league and cup double in 2018, and the club navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with resilience. The future looks promising with over 1000 weekly participants on their 3G pitch, new educational initiatives, and becoming the home of England Walking Football. The club also commemorated the loss of 1st Team player Tom Rankin in 2022 with a permanent memorial.