Alvechurch
- A Proud History
Alvechurch
Football Club, with its picturesque ground providing a grandstand
view of the rolling Worcestershire hills in the Arrow Valley and
its Lye Meadow facilities which are steadily being added to and
improved presents a far different picture from when the club was
founded in 1929. Then the team had to change in a pub and walk over
the road to the local playing fields to contest their minor league
matches.
The
move to Lye Meadow in 1957 was the turning point in the club's history
and it began to go from strength to strength. In the mid-sixties
Alvechurch captured the imagination and enthusiasm of the midlands
with the team's giant- killing runs in the F.A. Amateur Cup. In
the 1964-65 season 'Church reached the quarter finals and then got
to the semi- finals the following year.
Alvechurch
joined the Midland Combination in 1961-62 and claimed the league
title the following year. In the next eight seasons they won the
championship four times and the league challenge cup five times,
and were also runners-up in both competitions on two other occasions.
In
1971-72, in their second year in the F.A. Cup, 'Church reached the
first round proper after an 11 hour marathon in the Fourth Qualifying
Round against Oxford City. This tie is now recorded in the 'Guinness
Book of Records'. However, Alvechurch went down 4-2 to Aldershot
after a brave struggle in a match that was the 12th in three weeks
for some of the team.
In
1972-73 'Church became the first amateur side to ever win the Worcestershire
Senior Cup -retaining it the following season.
1973-74
was, in fact, the most successful season in the club's history.
Joining the West Midlands (Regional) League, the club won the Premier
Division Championship, the League Challenge Cup, the Birmingham
Senior Amateur Cup and the Worcestershire Senior Cup. In the FA
Cup 'Church reached the Third Round proper, going down 4-2 to Bradford
City, after beating Exeter City at St. James Park in the first Round
proper.
In
1974-75 again Alvechurch achieved the West Midlands League and Cup
double-despite losing five players-but were beaten in the final
of the Worcestershire Senior Cup by a single goal.
In
1975-76 the Club completed a hat-trick of League Championships and
also won the Border Counties Floodlit League.1976-77
saw 'Church win the League Championship yet again and this was the
year the Worcestershire Senior Cup and the Boarder Counties Challenge
Cup returned to Lye Meadow. The Club gained entry into the Southern
League for the 1978-79 season, and as the only true village club
playing in the league finished in a creditable third position.
And
so to another milestone for Alvechurch with the winning of the Midland
Division and the Championship of The Southern League having beaten
Southern Division Champions, Dartford, in the two-legged final,
to make the 1980/81 season one of the most successful in the clubs
history.
The
1981-82 season produced a see-saw battle to retain the League Championship
but Nuneaton finished the stronger to push Alvechurch into the runners-up
position. During that season Alan Smith gained international recognition
when representing the England non-league team and subsequently joined
Leicester City, then Arsenal for £800,00 (where he gained full international
honours playing! for England).
It was back to success in the 1982-83 Season when having gained
elevation to the Premier Division of the Southern League the Club
won the Southern League Cup following victory by seven goals to
two on aggregate against Waterlooville.
Following
the demise of benefactor Philip Palmer and then president Alan Wiseman,
the club were relegated to the Midland Division of the League. Geoff
Turton of the Rocking' Berries pop group stepped in to keep the
club alive aided by the sale of Andy Comyn to Aston Villa.
Financial
speculators gained control of the. club in 1992 resulting in closure
the following November 1993.
In
1994 a dedicated band of supporters resurrected the club, rebuilding
the seated stand and refurbishing the club house to gain admission
to the Midland Combination Premier Division. Finishing it 5th position
in the league and beaten finalists in the Smedley Crooke Cup the
team went on in the following season to reach the League Cup Final
only to lose out to League Champions Bloxwich Town.
In
1997 further progress was made with the erection of floodlights,
that has enabled the club to maintain its Combination Premier League
status.
The
last few seasons has seen the club embark on the promotion of junior
football at Lye Meadow with a number of different age groups including
an under 18 side playing in the Midland Floodlit Youth League. This
side won the club's first major trophy for 17 years when it lifted
the 1999/2000 Birmingham County Youth Cup, following a thrilling
extra time victory against Paget Rangers.
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