Bosses at Halesowen Town FC have confirmed that First Team Manager Paul Smith will be staying with the club next season.

Since joining the Yeltz in the summer of 2019, Paul has brought a harmony back to the club and has seen the average attendance more than double.

His first season in charge brought frustration as the season was declared null and void following the worldwide Covid pandemic, a season that potentially would have bought promotion and a possible Wembley Cup final with a two-legged semi-final.

The 2020-21 season ended before it hardly got started with only 12 games played before Covid again took hold.

The 2021-22 season saw Smith’s men never out of a play off spot all season, ending cruelly with a semi-final playoff defeat last week.

But regular crowds of over a thousand were a testament to how the club, and indeed the town had grown under Paul’s tenure. Director of Football Keith McKenna said:

“Karen and I are delighted that Paul will continue as manager of our club. We are all disappointed that we haven’t been promoted but can see Paul is more determined than ever to get us into the next league above and has our full support.”

​Paul added: I’m delighted to have signed another contract with the club for this coming season.

“Although we didn’t achieve our goal of promotion on the pitch, the growth and development of the club in the three years since my arrival is clear for all to see.

“Keith and Karen’s support and drive are infectious, and it was a very easy decision for me to make to work alongside them again.

“I’m more determined than ever to achieve the goals on and off the pitch that we have all set out to get.

“It’s been a brilliant three years so far and I am excited to see what next season brings.”