No panic for ‘Church

10:10am Thursday 24th July 2008

ALVECHURCH joint manager lee McWilliams is confident he will have a strong squad out in time for the start of the Midland Alliance season despite the lack of signings at Lye Meadow.

McWilliams, appointed at the end of the 2007-08 season along with Simon Redhead, has seen a mass exodus of players to Willenhall, where former boss Shaun Cunnington is the new manager.

But McWilliams is throwing in a number of trialists and players he wants to sign in the club's first pre-season friendly at home to Bromsgrove Rovers tonight (Wednesday 7.45pm).

But he said he is not worried, despite having to replace an entire back four and not having recruited any defenders so far.

Two front players who have definitely signed though are Dave Dainty who scored 42 goals in the Midland Combination for Northfield last season, and James Ince.

Ince, aged 28, was with McWilliams as a youngster at West Bromwich Albion and has been out of the game for the last two seasons.

But he has signed for his old team mate and McWilliams thinks he will be a real asset.

He said: "James will be quality at our level and has renewed his love of the game.

"Me and Simon have a few targets in mind and some of them will be playing in the friendly against Bromsgrove, and Atherstone on Saturday, "Lets face it we have had the nucleus of last season's side takenm away and it is going to be a rebuilding job which is not going to be easy.

"But we are up for the task and I maintain it is still early because we are planning to get a number of people in during the next two weeks and will have a strong squad to start the season with because it is going to be a tough league again, probably even tougher this time."

One player who has re- signed for the season is Callum Gittings.

Alvechurch have three more friendlies confirmed, at Castle Vale on Tuesday July 29 , Pilkington on Thursday July 31, and Cadbury on Saturday August 2.

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