Silverware going on public parade

12 May 2018 By David Watters

Alvechurch are inviting fans to see their stars and management parade their EVO-STIK League silverware next weekend at a family fun day before settling down to watch the royal wedding and FA Cup Final on big screens at Lye Meadow!

Church, who collected the EVO-STIK League South Division's runners-up trophy from Northern Premier League representative Dominic McKenzie on the last day of the season when they hosted Loughborough Dynamo, have already made sure one lucky supporter got his hands on it, grandfather-of-four Rick Edwards.

Pictured in the hat, the Bromsgrove-based fan almost died two days before Christmas on Saturday 23 December when he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the terraces at Lye Meadow minutes before Ian Long's side were due to kick off against Gresley.

Before the arrival of paramedics and being airlifted to hospital, a trio of Alvechurch fans - Martin Bassett, Kevin March and Jude Yates - spent 45 minutes using the ground's defibrillator, made mandatory for season 2017-18 by the EVO-STIK League, to bring him back to life three times.

After coming up into the EVO-STIK League as Midland League champions and winning successive promotions from Step 5 to Step 3, Church officials are in "dreamland" and say they are laying on a host of attractions for all the family including food and drink, music, a bouncy castle, children's 5-a-side tournaments, races, penalty shoot-outs and crossbar-challenges.

A Church spokesman said: "There's a couple of other minor events on the day, like the Royal Wedding and the FA Cup Final which you can watch them on our big screen in the clubhouse. We are in dreamland after back-to-back promotions and tremendous effort from this group of players and staff so come and party with the Church. Bring the whole family and celebrate Church style!"

* Alvechurch could add another trophy to the club's collection this summer following the delayed semi-final draw for the JW Hunt Cup. AFC Wulfrunians's home is due to Atherstone Town versus Alvechurch in the first of the last four clashes on Tuesday 15 May following Friday's draw. Walsall Wood host Wolves Sporting Community on Saturday 19 May in the second semi with the final penciled for Tuesday May 22 at AFC Wulfrunians.

Images courtesy of Steven Denny/@Alvechurch1st/Twitter

Silverware: Alvechurch collect their trophy

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague

Guvnor: Alvechurch boss Ian Long with the runners-up trophy and fans

Flying the flag: Fans with the trophy

Put your name on it: Alvechurch examine the cup

Where next?

Team Trafford thanked for success Trafford's boss Tom Baker, his touchline team and players and the EVO-STIK League club's volunteers have been congratulated for contributing to another season of success.