Redditch fans prepare for protest

Reds boss Whild says low attendances have been a problem at Redditch

Redditch United supporters are set to protest about a possible merger with Bromsgrove Rovers at Saturday's FA Trophy tie against Cammel Laird.

Rovers director of football Steve Daniels has confirmed the clubs have held talks about a link-up.

But fans from both sides have said they are unhappy with the proposals.

Redditch Supporters Club chairman Paul Hughes told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "Fans are up in arms, there will be a mass demonstration on Saturday."

Rovers have said they would only be happy with the move if they keep their name and play at the Victoria Ground.

There's a lot of boxes to be ticked, in terms of the FA, so it's not going to happen overnight

Gary Whild

But Phil Baker from the Bromsgrove Supporters Society said: "There is no support whatsoever, both sets of supporters want to maintain their own clubs."

Redditch manager Gary Whild said he thinks there is a lot of sense in the proposals and denied it would be the end of the Blue Square North club.

"From a football point of view it could form a strong club," he said.

"When you look at the gates we're getting, 150-160, it's not rocket science that you're not going to sustain a club at our level, it's a problem for us at the moment."

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But Whild pointed out a deal would not happen until at least the end of the season.

"There's a lot of things that have to be taken into consideration and there's a lot of boxes to be ticked, in terms of the FA, so it's not going to happen overnight," he said.

"Until all of those people in the powers that be are satisfied then it's not going to happen at all."