NEW Stourbridge boss Ian Long is ready to raid former club Alvechurch as he looks to build a side worthy of promotion from the Southern League Central.

Long has already been in talks with centre back Ash Carter, left-back Zak Foster and midfielders Tom Turton and Dave Bellis about a move to the War Memorial Ground.

Long left Alvechurch to take up the Stour hotseat after Gary Hackett ended a 16-year stint at Amblecote at the end of the season.

The new boss is now focused on leading the Glassboys to the next level and has already started to put plans in place to build his squad for next term.

He said: "Our aim is to come in and get promotion. That's what it's all about.

"If we can keep a few of the current squad and I can add a few of the players I had at Alvechurch then hopefully we can be successful if we can get it to gel.

"It's going to be different from when Gary was here and we'll do things our way. If the players buy into what we are doing then there is no reason why we can't be looking to promotion.

"Gary Hackett is going to be a tough act to follow here. He did very well for the club and gave them great service.

"We'll just put our own stamp on things and keep doing what we've done at the other clubs we've been at. It's an exciting time and a great opportunity."

His task has been helped with news that a host of last season's squad are also under contract for the 2019/20 campaign.

Top scorer Greg Mills, forward Luke Benbow, goalkeeper James Wren, defender Jordaan Brown, midfielder Jake Evans and forward Robert Thompson-Brown have all had one-year options taken up by the Glassboys.

However, Benbow has attracted interest from Nuneaton and may leave the War Memorial Ground if a deal can be reached.