Long Brings in Three - But Loses One

Trio of new arrivals at Lye Meadow.

Ian Long, manager of Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Division Central club Alvechurch, has had a busy time, adding three new players to his squad ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Long has finally got his man in signing forward Danny Waldron from Vanarama National League North side Leamington.

The 24-year-old joined the Brakes in August 2020.

He began his career at Halesowen Town, scoring regularly for the Yeltz's under-18 side before breaking into the first team.

He then spent time playing for Liverpool's John Moores University team while also turning out for Smethwick Rangers in the West Midlands (Regional) League.

He was snapped up by Alvechurch`s league rivals Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2017, and over the following three seasons proved himself more than capable of performing at Step 3.

In his first season at Dales Lane, he finished as top scorer and won the managers` player of the season award.

He also finished the next two campaigns having hit well into double figures in goals, finishing with 48 in around 125 games for the Pics.

Long has also obtained the services of highly rated centre-back Ethan Patterson, who has impressed everyone who has seen him in Church`s pre-season friendlies.

Patterson has regularly captained Villa’s under-18s side but he hasn’t impressed enough to earn a permanent deal.

After being released by Villa at the end of the 2018/19 season, the defender attracted interest from clubs in the Championship and League One.

However, when nothing came of that interest, the 20-year-old headed off to Iceland to in the top division for a Throttur Vogum side managed by former Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic star Herman Hreidarsson.

His contract in Iceland ended in January 2021 but due to the pandemic, he was unable to get back into the game here until being handed a chance by Long, who expects him to find his way back into the full-time game before too long.

The third new arrival is goalkeeper Dan Jezeph from Midland League Premier Division neighbours Worcester City,

The former Walsall and West Bromwich Albion keeper has established himself as a top keeper in non-League football and Long is delighted to have him on board.

The 23-year-old joined City in July 2019 from Alvechurch`s league rivals Tamworth and had experienced non-League football earlier in his career on loan at Rugby Town whilst on Walsall`s books, making 12 appearances in 2016/17.

Meanwhile, young midfielder Dylan Barkers has signed a one-year professional contract with League One new boys Cheltenham Town.

The Dutch-born 21-year-old joined Alvechurch in October 2020.

He had been with Vanarama National League North outfit Guiseley AFC since March 2019.

He made the move to Guiseley from National League side Solihull Moors where he came through the academy.

He had loan moves at Highgate United and Sutton Coldfield Town during the 2018/19 season.

However, despite leaving Lye Meadow for full-time football, Barkers will return on a short-term loan in time for the start of the 2021/22 campaign.

Alvechurch Web Site