ALVECHURCH have received a huge boost as they look towards the (pandemic-permitting) 2020/21 Southern Premier Central campaign with the news the managerial team have pledged their futures to the club for the new season.
Alongside manager Ian Long, the backroom squad of Rich Colwell, Chris ‘Billy’ Walwyn, Danny Scheppel and Matt Kirby will remain at Lye Meadow.
Long returned to the club in February from Stourbridge having previously departed Church for the Glassboys.
Chairman Richard Thorndike tweeted: “Delighted to get the management sorted for next season. A few key players already committed.
“Been a good week all-round for us! UptheChurch.”
Thorndike was also referring to the club receiving funding approval to start work on their new 3G pitch at The Hayes, where the Alvechurch football family including the junior and ladies’ teams will benefit from a state-of-the-art community football facility.
The site will offer all year-round football on a new all-weather grass pitch (AGP) with LED floodlights and viewing area.
The changing rooms at the West Heath venue are set to be transformed over the next few months, with plans to build and refurbish two new large changing rooms, upgrade toilets and referee changing rooms and fund pitch drainage to enhance access to quality grass pitches on the site.
There will also be a coffee shop, cafe and small social function room on the site, which will also be used as a base for an education programme so students can enjoy a top facility for both their pitch time and classroom studies.
In addition to this, a new car park with electric vehicle charging points and pedestrian access are also being constructed.
The project has been made possible by a joint contribution from the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s Football Foundation. The initiative started almost six years ago and, after tireless work from the board and chairman Thorndike, the hard work has finally paid off.
Thorndike said: “I’m absolutely delighted we have finally got this over the line and, although it is hard to really celebrate at the moment, this will become something the whole community can get behind and be rightly proud of.
“As a local lad I have seen the sporting facilities in the area really deteriorate. We needed this and I feel it will help to boost participation as well as act as a base for most, if not all, of our junior teams.
“I want to say a personal thanks to all the stakeholders, particularly the Premier League, The FA, Birmingham County FA and the Government’s Football Foundation for backing us and showing support at a difficult time.”
