ALVECHURCH boss Ian Long says he's delighted to bring his 'family' of players from former club Tividale.

The arrival of Long at Lye Meadow has seen all but three from the Black Country side match the switch.

Tividale finished eighth in the Northern League Division One last season, so hopes are high at Church the squad can compete at the top of the Midlands Premier, which is one level below.

While the likes of Paul Evans, Zach Foster, David Bellis, Luke Paskin and Richard Huckfield, were already confirmed, the club have also brought in Aaron Roberts, Joel Ambalu, Chris Field, Andy Parsons, Ryan Winwood, Sam Williams, Danny Priest, Danny Ashton, Leigh Downing and Karl Edwards.

Unfortunately, Alvechurch missed out on striker Jordan Archer, who signed for Redditch United, while midfielder Mitch Botfield has a soccer scholarship in the USA.

Long said: "It's important for me to generate a family atmosphere and I am very happy to bring all these guys in.

"They all wanted to keep playing together and we work very hard to generate a good team spirit.

"The chairman Richard Thorndike has been very supportive and everything we asked of him.

"From now on, any game over 30 miles away the players, coaching staff and chairman will travel on a coach. It's those little things that make the difference."

Alvechurch have also kept on keeper Sean Edwards, who will compete with Evans for the spot, but otherwise many of last season's squad have moved on.

Michael McGrath has joined Rushall Olympic, while Long would like to keep Connor Deards.

He said: "I said to the players at the end of season awards I was going to bring in some players because finishing 15th wasn't good enough.

"I said they were welcome to come to training and we'd give them a chance but many have moved on.

"We're sorry that Michael McGrath has left but we understand why he went to Rushall.

"We're also looking for a new centre forward and I will have to be patient and see who's around in July or even a few weeks into the season."