IAN Long wants Alvechurch to be the fittest team in the Midlands Premier in the 2015-16 season.

Preparations for the new campaign stepped up last week when training began.

With a host of players from Tividale following the manager to Lye Meadow this summer, hopes are high for a promotion-chasing campaign.

He said: "Training has started well, not all the lads are back because Tividale's season didn't finish until the end of may.

"Despite that we've had 18 players there with more to come.

"In hindsight, I would have started training at the end of June instead of this early.

"But I want us to be one of the fittest teams in the division, so we can keep our quality in the final ten minutes of games."

Dale Edwards, one of the players who were at the club last season, also looks set to stay on.

He's also keeping his options with potential new additions.

Alvechurch kick-off their pre-season friendly programme with a trip to Littleton on Saturday, July 11.

Three days later, they go to Cradley Town and then make the trip to Wolverhampton Sporting on Wednesday, July 22.

Alvechurch tackle Stourbridge at home on July 25, go to Bilston on July 28.

They ended their friendlies at Gornal Athletic on Thursday, July 30 and at home to Sutton Coldfield on Saturday, August 1.