WHAT an unbelievable season it has been for Redditch United.

First becoming champions of the Western Division and now winning the Southern league play-offs against King's Lynn and Merthyr Tydfil to make their way to the new Conference North.

The Conference North is one league down from the National Conference and just two from the football league Division Three.

Next season will see the Reds playing the likes of relegated National Conference teams Leigh RMI and Northwich Victoria as well as new derby games against Worcester City, Moor Green and Nuneaton Borough.

But with their success must come a lot of hard work in the close season.

Reds manager Rod Brown said: "On the playing front I've got five or six targets which will hopefully mean four or five new players into the squad next season predominantly from the National Conference.

"I'm talking to three players from Telford United. All players I have talked to are National Conference standard or one league below.

"We've all raised the bar this year and it will have to be raised quite dramatically again next season.

"We'll just have to wait and see if we can stay in that league knowing it's going to be very difficult."

The success can only be measured by the records that have been broken by United this year.

Brown revealed that Redditch United is the first team ever to win a league after leading it from week one of the season.

To add to that the Reds are the first team to gain two promotions in one season.

And it was the first time ever that the Western Division champions played the winner of the Eastern - which United also won after defeating King's Lynn 1-0.

"I'm really proud, it's been an unbelievable time," said Brown. "But the big plus for us this year has been the fans."

He added: "We had about 400 fans at Merthyr out of 900 all told and we need to keep that kind of support for next season regardless of the results.

"And hopefully then we'll get Redditch United in the National Conference."

Brown also revealed that major ground improvements will be going on at the Valley throughout the summer with new terracing, toilet blocks, more turnstiles and a new club shop all in the pipeline.

The pitch will also be re-seeded ready for the new season.

So the Reds are now appealing to supporters to volunteer some time to get down the club with paintbrush in hand and help with the improvements.

n Tickets are still available for the Reds end of season awards evening at the Valley tomorrow night (Thursday ko 7.30 for 8pm).

For more details call the club on 67450.

Pre season fixtures against Division Two play-off hopefuls Swindon as well as Peterborough United have already been pencilled in at home and a possible mouth-watering clash against neighbours Bromsgrove Rovers could also be on the cards.