ALVECHURCH boss Darren Byfield admits he's under no illusions about the task ahead of him at Lye Meadow this season.

Byfield has been forced to completely rebuild the squad following a mass exodus of players from last season's side which just missed out to Kings Lynn in the play-off final.

He claimed: "People will look at what the club achieved last season by finishing fourth but they must remember that I've had to replace an entire side and it's been tough".

Byfield lacks the financial clout that some of his close rivals enjoy and revealed: "When the better players become available you get the likes of Stourbridge, Tamworth and Nuneaton pouncing upon them, because they can offer more.

"It's not just the players at Step 2 either, but at 4 and 5 as well.

"You're constantly looking to see if you can pick up a little gem.

"But the one thing in our favour is the fact I've been in this position before and I know what I want and what is required.

"That doesn't necessarily make it any easier, sometimes its just a case of phone call after phone call.

"The most important thing is that we are seen to be progressing."

Church face the daunting trip to Needham Market this Saturday having been without a fixture at the weekend owing to their exit against Belper Town in the FA Cup.