Josh on the March into Football League - The Redditch Standard

Josh on the March into Football League

Redditch Editorial 9th Jan, 2020   0

ALVECHURCH chairman Richard Thorndike is confident former favourite Josh March will soon be making headlines in League Two after the striker’s move to Forest Green Rovers.

March was an integral part in Church’s rise from the Midland Alliance to the Southern Premier after being signed by former boss Ian Long in 2015 and scoring 81 goals in 184 games.

March moved into National League North in the summer with Leamington and his stunning record of 24 goals in 27 matches this season has now earned the 22-year-old a move to Forest Green for an undisclosed fee.

Thorndike tweeted: “Kit suits him mate. So will the number 9 on the back! Absolutely buzzing for him and the family. I know he’ll keep working hard.”




Alvechurch also tweeted: “Our favourite son got the move he’s deserved! Goal machine Josh March will soon be ripping it up in the EFL and we’re all over the moon about it!”

Leamington boss Paul Holleran said March’s move was the culmination of one journey, through non-League, and the start of another.


“It’s been an epic rise for Josh and he has been helped along the way by some great non-League football people, none more so than Ian Long and Richard Thorndike,” he added.

Forest Green, managed by ex-Tamworth and Kettering boss Mark Cooper, said they had to fight off interest from an array of clubs, including from the Championship, to secure March.

“It has been a stressful few days trying to get everything sorted but I’m excited to be here now and looking forward to getting into it,” said March.

“I got a call off my agent saying that Forest Green were interested and you look up about the club and you soon realise it is a club going forward.

“Speaking to the manager, the club came across well. He said he wanted goals and I felt like I could come in and get those goals.”

Church could desperately do with someone of March’s calibre to get the goals to improve their position in Southern Premier Central.

Despite playing for 35 minutes against ten-man Royston Town last weekend, Church suffered a 1-0 home defeat which left them third from bottom in the table.

Spyros Mentis headed home a free kick to give Royston the lead on 24 minutes and good saves from Church’s Joe Slinn kept out a Matthew Bateman header from close range and curling effort from Claudio Ofosu.

The visitors were reduced to ten men 11 minutes into the second period after keeper Joe Welch was red-carded after tangling with Alvechurch midfielder Kevin Monteiro.

Church dominated after that but without getting a shot on target as Lewis Wright blazed over and Kyle Perry headed wide.

Dean Holtham’s men will be desperate to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Leicestershire side Barwell before they face Kings Langley at Lye Meadow on Tuesday.

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