IAN Long will have no hesitation in tapping into the wealth of knowledge of former Alvechurch and Redditch United boss Simon Redhead to help the Churchmen’s quest for promotion.
Manager Long said the appointment of Redhead to the Alvechurch board of directors will be a real positive to the club on and off the pitch.
Redhead will be able to assist on playing matters, scouting players and recruitment, as well as working with chairman Richard Thorndike to help the Churchmen progress.
After a vote by the directors last weekend, Redhead joined the board with a wide-ranging remit and Long said Redhead’s knowledge will be an asset in Alvechurch’s push to maintain top spot in the Midland League Premier Division.
“We have made a good appointment in bringing Simon Redhead on to the board,” said Long. “I don’t think he is too fussed by his title but he will help us, on and off the pitch.
“He has got a wealth of experience and of the higher levels. He knows players, he has got good contacts. Hopefully he will help us bring in more quality.
“He will be there for me to get advice and I’m a firm believer in canvassing as many opinions as possible.”
Having been a player at Alvechurch, Redhead then became boss and led the Church to the 2011 Birmingham Senior Cup final before switching to Redditch United in 2012. He then moved to Solihull Moors and was Marcus Bignot’s assistant in their ascent into Non-League’s top tier last season.
Profitable few days
Alvechurch’s quest for success continued on Saturday with a 4-1 home league win against Walsall Wood, followed up by a 1-0 home success against title rivals Lye Town in the Polymac Packaging League Cup on Tuesday, but they now have a 12-day break until next Saturday’s crunch clash between the top two at Lye.
The fixture-free weekend will allow Alvechurch to recharge their batteries, says Long, but the last two games again showed the strength in depth.
Despite falling behind to Joey Butlin’s fifth-minute strike against Walsall Wood, Connor Deards levelled two minutes later from Tom Turton’s corner and another Turton corner led to Andy Parsons heading home Alvechurch’s second on 56 minutes.
Two late goals from substitute Mike Wardle, heading home a Jamie Ashmore cross, and then Danny Dubidat, bundling home a Zack Foster cross, sealed the points.
Alvechurch made six changes against Lye on Tuesday but Long was again impressed with how the likes of Wardle, Babucar Sauane and Brogan Halpin seized their chance.
Deards smashed home a stunning winner on 66 minutes after Ashmore nodded a Parsons’ pass into his path on the inside right channel and Deards took one touch and sent a dipping effort into the net.
“I was really pleased with the win – it’s a competition we want to go and win,” said Long.
“We made changes but we showed we’ve got the quality in the squad. Connor Deards’ goal was a real cracker and he has shown again what he can do playing down the middle. The test is to maintain it.”
Alvechurch’s cup win has set up a February 21 home tie in the quarter-finals against Pelsall Villa, who knocked out Sporting Khalsa.
