IAN LONG wants his Alvechurch players to see the FA Cup as their chance to enjoy ‘15 minutes of fame’.
Church begin the ‘Road to Wembley’ on Saturday when they entertain North West Counties League Premier side Hanley Town at Lye Meadow in the preliminary round.
Alvechurch have a place in FA Cup folklore that will never be erased, having played in the longest ever Cup-tie when it took 11 hours and six matches in the fourth qualifying round to overcome Oxford City in November 1971. It is a record that will never be equalled since penalty shoot-outs now decide any replays.
However, 46 years ago after the Oxford epic, Alvechurch progressed to reach the first round proper for the first time in their history.
Manager Long would love to emulate such heroics, especially after Cup glory has been one item lacking from the litany of successes since he took over in 2016.
They have bowed at this stage in the past two seasons and it is 26 years since the club last enjoyed any notable run, getting to the final qualifying round in 1991 when they lost to Welling United.
“It would be great to have a run in the FA Cup, it’s what every non-League club wants,” said Long. “To my mind, getting to the first round proper and playing a League club is the dream.
“We haven’t had that success in my time at Alvechurch but with a little bit of luck there’s no reason why we can’t get through a few rounds.
“Just look at the impact of the FA Cup runs at Stourbridge. They’ve virtually doubled their gates. If we could have a run it would really put the club in the public’s eye. It would give you 15 minutes of fame.”
Alvechurch head into the tie in good form, having recorded a win and a draw in their first two matches in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier South Division campaign.
Goals from Luke Yates, Josh March and Tom Turton (penalty) swept aside visitors Leek Town 3-1 in an impressive performance on Saturday and then March fired the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Gresley on Tuesday, when Church had more than enough chances to have won.
“I would have settled for four points from two games before the season started but we totally dominated, in the second half especially, at Gresley and we had numerous chances to get the win,” said Long.
“It was like attack versus defence and we had them on the back foot but couldn’t get that second goal. It felt like two points lost.”
Full back Zack Foster should be fit to face Hanley after missing the first two games of the season, while new signing Jasko Keranovic, recruited on loan from West Bromwich Albion, should also be available.
Long moved for Australian-born 18-year-old goalkeeper Keranovic, who stands 6ft 5in, after last term’s supporters player of the season Paul Evans, who became a dad at the weekend, and Lewis Gwilliams, who was away in France, were ruled out.
“We had to move quickly and we are grateful to West Bromwich Albion for helping us out at short notice,” said Long. “It’s great to be able to call on someone with Jasko’s pedigree and to have someone from a Premier League club.”
