ALVECHURCH FC have parted company with manager Ian Long after being dumped out of the FA Cup by 5-2 Halesowen Town.

The defeat on Saturday (September 16) was the latest in a sluggish start to the season which has seen just three wins in ten games.

Alvechurch director Stephen Denny said in a statement: "We have decided to part ways with our first team manager, Ian Long.

"Ian, affectionately known as ‘Peewee’ is the most successful manager in our club’s history so this decision has not been made lightly."

Assistant manager Richard Colwell will take charge at 'Church as a caretaker manager until a new boss is recruited by the club.

Mr Denny added: "The club wishes to acknowledge the success and hard work of Ian Long.

"It wasn’t an easy decision to part ways with the most successful manager in our history, however for the sustainability of our football club the role is more suited to a specialist player development coach rather than a traditional non-league manager.
"We would like to wish Ian all the very best for the future and we know he will be hugely successful wherever he goes."