IAN LONG says he will not be rushed into completing his revamped Alvechurch squad for the new season.
The Churchmen have added goalkeeper Charlie Price, midfielder Tom Turton and strikers Aaron Lloyd and Andy Nicol to the squad, but Long says he still has gaps to fill.
Aware the summer wheeler-dealing usually continues into the first month of the new campaign, Long sees no reason to panic.
“We’ve still got a few players in mind and we might have to be patient to get them,” said Long. “There are always comings and goings through pre-season and early in the season when players realise they are not going to be playing.
“We’ll keep tabs on a few players we’ve spoken to in the close season.”
Price, signed from Tividale, Turton, from Sutton Coldfield, ex-Stourbridge, Dudley Town and Cradley Town forward Lloyd and one-time Church forward Nicol were all expected to feature in last night’s (Thursday) first friendly at Bromyard Town.
The first warm-up game had been due to be at Cradley Town but their Beeches View Avenue ground is not ready. Instead, the two sides will meet at Smethwick’s Hadley Stadium tomorrow (Saturday, 2pm) on a 3G pitch. Admission will be free.
One disappointment for the Churchmen is that goalkeeper Paul Evans is expected to miss all of the friendly programme with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Alvechurch will open the season with an FA Cup tie at Shropshire side Haughmond.
The cup starts the season for the first time, with the extra preliminary round tie being played on August 6.
The winners then face a trip to Hereford, who pipped Alvechurch in a roller-coaster title race in the Midland Premier Division last season.
The league campaign begins on August 13.