Redditch United manager Matt Gardiner believes his side will be competitive next season despite many of their rivals having bigger budgets.

The Reds are being tipped by some to struggle in the Blue Square North.

But Gardiner told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It's going to be difficult and while I am a bit of an optimist I am also realistic."

"We are going to do the best we possibly can with the means that we have got available to us."

Gardiner accepts it is a sign of the times that clubs are having to operate with reduced budgets and says he has gone into the job with his eyes wide open.

As a former player at Valley Stadium he is well aware of the pressures under which the club's board has to operate.

"I am really pleased and I have to say thanks to Ken [Rae, the Redditch chairman] because in the economic climate and where we are it's really nice even to have a budget," he said.

"Yes, it is modest but we will work within that.

It was quite evident towards the end of last season a lot of players were looking for other opportunities Reds manager Matt Gardiner

"Ultimately what I am trying to get across is that it is about the long-term future of the football club so there's no point in pretending you can't afford," he added.

Gardiner says he and his assistant John Snape have managed to hold on to the majority of those players they had been looking to keep.

"Having been a player myself last season it was quite evident towards the end of last season a lot of players were looking for other opportunities," he said.

"Some of them have gone higher and I am really pleased for Danny Lewis, who is getting his opportunity with a full-time club.

"But the players who are definitely staying are Danny Moran, Danny Scheppel and Dan Carter, so there are some good young local lads there who have already committed to the club.

"But that's what I want really, that they are playing their football for the right reasons."

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