BROMSGROVE Sporting have announced pace ace Reece Hewitt has returned to the club from Redditch United on a permanent deal.
The 25-year-old winger, who joined the Rouslers in 2014 following spells with Studley and Highgate United, spent two seasons at the Victoria Ground, where he scored 28 goals in 83 appearances in all competitions before Reds boss Darren Byfield signed him this summer.
Since making the move to the Valley Stadium to play in the Southern League Premier Division, three levels above Midland League Division One, Hewitt has been a consistent performer but due to work and personal commitments, he has decided to return to the Rouslers – a move which has left Sporting boss Paul Smith ‘over the moon’.
He said: “It’s a tremendous signing for us as he’s had the likes of Worcester City and league clubs after him so I’m over the moon to welcome him back.
“He’s been flying with Redditch and he’s been one of their best players this year but his girlfriend is due to have a baby in four or five weeks’ time and they have just bought their first house.
“On the back of that, Reece is doing work on the house himself and as he believes he won’t make it as a professional, he wanted to come to somewhere where he enjoys playing football.
“I asked him to ride it out at Redditch to see if he could get the bug back but we welcome him back with open arms.
“The players will be delighted and I am sure the fans will be over the moon with the news.”
Hewitt is expected to appear in Sporting’s FA Vase first round clash on Saturday against Cadbury Athletic – one of just two sides to have taken points off the Rouslers in the league this season, the second being Uttoxeter Town who they drew 2-2 with on Saturday.
The performance in the 1-1 draw at Athletic at the end of August was labelled as ‘horrific’ by Smith, who says he’s looking to set the record straight.
“After the game at Cadburys I told the players exactly what I thought and said that kind of performance won’t be tolerated,” he added.
“I am sure we won’t be putting on another performance like the one we did on that day this weekend. We owe Cadbury one but they are a very organised side and hard to beat.
“But I am sure if we play at our best we can turn them over. I don’t think I will need to give the players much of a team talk.”
Sam Wills, Chris Lloyd and Keenan Meakin-Richards, who missed the Littleton game due to work commitments, are to return while Chris Conway (holiday) and Craig Jones (wedding) are unavailable.
Providing there’s no replay, Sporting then travel to Bewdley Town on Tuesday night (7.45pm KO) in the quarter-finals of the Worcestershire Senior Urn – not Wednesday night as published in other media outlets.
