ALVECHURCH have parted company with skipper Mark Smith as they prepare for life in the Northern Premier League next season.

Manager Ian Long revealed: "Mark has been my right hand man for the past four years and we've enjoyed a great deal of success together.

"But I don't think all the travelling involved at the next level will really suit him, especially as he has changed jobs which involves him being based at Crewe for a considerable amount of time.

"It's not helped that he lost his place in central defence to Jamie Willetts but Mark won't be short of offers.

"I believe both Sporting Khalsa and Highgate United have already shown an interest, but wherever he goes, Mark will do a great job.

"He's played for me at both Tividale and Alvechurch when we won nine trophies and experienced some great times both on and off the pitch.

"But Mark didn't play a great deal of football towards the end of the season, having started really well."

Long has added 17-year-old striker Luke Yates to his squad for next season after snapping up the teenager from Wednesfield.

Yates impressed Long when playing against Alvechurch in the J W Hunt Cup.

Long has since had Yates watched further, he said: "Luke scored 33 goals last season when playing for Wednesfield in West Midlands League Division One.

"It's a big step up to the Northern Premier League but Luke will feature in some pre-season friendlies and we'll see how he shapes up."

Alvechurch have arranged a string of attractive friendlies which include home games against Bromsgrove Sporting on July 18, Southern League Premier side Stratford Town on July 25 and then Redditch United on August 5 ahead of their season kicking off on August 12.

The Church will also entertain FA Cup giantkillers Stourbridge but a date has yet to be finalised.