Football
Come and join the Alvechurch revival

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EXCITING times are in store at Alvechurch Football Club both on and off the pitch - beginning with this weekend's big match at home to unbeaten Midland Alliance leaders Stratford Town.

The Lye Meadow outfit are amongst Non-League clubs up and down the country promoting Non-League Day tomorrow, as clubs look to attract bigger attendances given the absence of Premiership and Championship football during the international weekend.

And now is the perfect time to come and sample the new-look Alvechurch, who have enjoyed an excellent run of form since the recent appointment of Dean Holtham as manager and are now seventh in the table.

Entrance to tomorrow's match is free for children and just £5 for adults.

Newly-appointed chief executive Richard Thorndike said: "Our playing squad is 90 per cent Birmingham City Football Club's Community Development Squad.

"Their average age is 18 and this is their first open age league challenge, which is a massive achievement at this level.

"We weren't sure how they would cope in the Alliance but Dean Holtham had tremendous faith in their ability and convinced the board that they would not only cope with the physicality and high tempo from this division but that they would thrive.

"His faith in the team has been fully justified by the league results and performances Alvechurch have had since his appointment."

To coincide with the introduction of the new manager and a significantly improved young playing squad, Alvechurch have also recently secured sponsorship from 16 businesses - some local and some from a wider area - mainly for perimeter board advertising and programme advertising.

Richard believes this is a key time for the club to build on the current momentum as the Lye Meadow hierarchy seek to get the club climbing the leagues again and revealed fans will benefit from improvements on and off the pitch.

He added: "Our main sponsors, Clarity Copiers from Kings Heath, also sponsor the playing strips and the training kit and we have also secured sponsorship from the Top Wash Group who have agreed to sponsor the main stand at Lye Meadow, which will now be called the 'Top Wash Stand' for the foreseeable future.

"Some minor refurbishments to the clubhouse are due to be carried out shortly and we are looking forward to the introduction of even more sponsors from the surrounding area in the very near future."

Sponsors at the club so far are Clarity Copiers Group, Apple Staffing Solutions, Clifton Cleaning Services Ltd, Clik Design, CMS Solutions Inc, Cronin Insurance Brokers, Crown Jules, Elliott Nash Ltd, Hairjunkie, Instarmac Group PLC, Northfield Press, Premier Building Services Ltd, Stirling House Financial Services, Top Wash Group, Weathertec Property Services Ltd and Yoo Hoo Photography.

Alvechurch have a proud history including a record attendance of 13,500 and six former players who have represented their country and they intend to celebrate this as part of their centenary celebrations next year.

The club are determined that the local community are part of the celebrations and there are sponsorship opportunities for businesses to get involved with.

Richard said: "Because of our upcoming centenary and because of imminent sponsorship deals and clubhouse refurbishments, we are certainly going to attract more exposure.

"We are updating our website, increasing press editorials and soon we will be publishing the best programmes in our history.

"Sponsorship packages and club memberships are available from as little as £99 per year so, if you are a football fan, a local business owner or a member of the local community, we would love to have your involvement.

"We are looking for members of the local community to help us stage events life coffee mornings, kids soft play sessions, quiz and bingo nights and many other functions.

"If you would like to book a modest function for up to 60 people please contact us and if you're from the village or surrounding area we will be pleased to offer you our facilities free of charge."

For more details about the team's progress, sponsorship opportunities or anything Alvechurch FC-related, visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/alvechurch. You can also contact Richard Thorndike on 07834 351696.

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