IAN LONG insists champions Alvechurch remain very much focused on an historic treble, but he is already building his squad for next season.
Having been officially presented with the Midland League Premier Division title on Saturday after their 3-0 win at home to Rocester, Alvechurch are determined to follow Hereford in completing a league and Polymac Packaging League Cup double.
The Churchmen face St Andrews in the cup final at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium on Monday, May 15.
Long’s men have also booked a place in the JW Hunt Cup final thanks to Wednesday’s 2-1 semi-final win against Sporting Khalsa, courtesy of Reece Shilvock’s extra-time rocket.
Old foes Khalsa led through Marvin Nisbett’s 17th-minute goal but Josh McKenzie levelled on 77 minutes and Shilvock smashed home the winner two minutes before the end of extra time.
Alvechurch will now end the season with a trip to Molineux to face Highgate United or Wednesfield in the final on May 23.
Long admits that will extend the season when he would rather give his players a good break but the squad, with U18 and U21 players also in contention, will have enough options.
The manager also revealed four key players – defender Andy Parsons and midfield trio Ryan Winwood, Dave Bellis and Tom Turton – have already agreed to stay and he is confident more will follow.
Long said: “They are the first four lads I’ve spoken to about next season and they’ve all said they want to stay. I will be speaking to more.
“A lot of the players have been with me for three or four years. I’ve always felt the players are good enough to step up.
“I’m quite confident they have enjoyed their football and a happy footballer is a good footballer.
“There will always be change. I expect a few players will leave and others will come in.”
Alvechurch, however, look likely to bid farewell to keeper Paul Evans, one of their unsung heroes in the past two seasons.
Evans has indicated he will be hanging up his boots as he is due to become a father in August and he is not keen to commit to the extra travelling in Step Four.
“Evo’s missus is expecting in August and he doesn’t want to do the travelling. I’m trying to persuade him to change his mind,” said Long. “He has been one of our best players in the last few months. He has saved so many points.”
Alvechurch are set to step up into Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South – in which Long guided Tividale to eighth two years ago after promotion – but the Football Association will make the final decisions on league compositions after all the play-offs are completed.
Evans will be ruled out of the League Cup final because he is away, while Lewis Gwilliams is cup-tied so Ryan Price will feature.
Price had a run-out at the weekend but it was Alvechurch’s goal-getters who starred against Rocester.
Two smart strikes from the edge of the penalty area from Danny Dubidat provided the breakthrough with 20 minutes to play before Josh March smacked home an excellent angled finish for his 31st goal of the season.
“Performance-wise, it wasn’t great for an hour but once we got the first goal that settled us down and we played some good stuff,” said Long.
“All three goals were really good finishes.”
