ALVECHURCH have been handed a huge bonus as highly rated Babacar Suane has agreed to remain at Lye Meadow for the coming season.

Suane has been the subject of much interest from a number of non League level three sides.

Church assistant boss Richard Colwell said: "Redditch United, Rushall Olympic and Sutton Coldfield Town have all shown a great deal of interest in Babacar.

"He's a real athlete, gets up and down very quickly and can play in a number of positions.

"His decision to remain with Alvechurch has given everyone a big boost."

Church have already recruited strikers Luke Keen from Redditch United and AFC Hinckley's Javia Roberts in addition to Sporting Khalsa wideman Yusifu Ceesay.

They have also added promising youngster Luke Yates to the squad from Wednesfield after he impressed against them in the J W Hunt Cup Final.

Colwell addede: "We'd already watched Luke Yates on a number of occasions before the cup final, when again he impressed, while Luke Keen has previously been leading goalscorer in the Northern Premier League Division One South when he was involved with Romulus."

Both Colwell and boss Ian Long are well aware what to expect at a higher level having managed at Tividale and Stourport Swifts respectively.

Colwell said: "It's where we want to be, although we're a year late as Hereford got in the way the previous season, but we know what to expect."

However long serving central defender Mark Smith and striker Karl Edwards have chosen to move on.

Colwell added: "Both of them weren't getting as many games as they would have liked towards the end of the season.

"They gave us four very good years service and we won a number of trophies together. We thank them for that and wish them all the best for the future."

Church commence their pre-season programme with a trip to Tipton Town on July 12 followed by a journey to Hereford Lads Club on July 15.

They then host Bromsgrove Sporting at Lye Meadow on Tuesday, July 18.