OUTGOING Alvechurch chairman Andy Roberts denied manager Mick Preece had been forced out of the Combination Premier club because of a boardroom struggle.

Preece, who failed to turn up for the final match of the season against neighbours Feckenham, confirmed he is standing by his decision to quit the club, taken after the penultimate match against Sutton.

Preece, in his second spell at the club, told the Advertiser he had called it a day because of a groundshare with Kings Heath and Sunday side Alvechurch Darts which meant an end of season marathon of 16 matches in 26 days.

And he claimed former Kings Norton chairman Mike Rowley, who joined the board after Kings folded, wanted to take over the helm.

Roberts confirmed he will stand down as chairman at the AGM on Monday after two and a half years in charge but denied he was the victim of a boardroom coup.

"I have a young family and have done my bit and it's someone else's turn to take the flak," he told the Advertiser.

"I think I've taken the club forward because we were bottom of the league when I took over.

"Mike has a good track record with Kings Norton but there are nine other directors who might want to stand as chairman."

Roberts said he would stay at the club as a director.

Alvechurch secured their future after thrashing out a deal with Severn Trent to settle an unpaid £6,000 bill in instalments and are planning to lease Hopwood Community Centre to accommodate their youth team.

And the club have already approached former Bromsgrove coach Gary Hackett to join as manager next season.

Reserve team manager Paul Oakes is another candidate and former Studley manager John Adams could be interested after announcing his desire to return to football.

Preece, who guided Church to seventh in the league, two semi finals and lifted the Smedley Crooke Cup in his final season, says he is thinking about quitting the game permanently and his departure is likely to see his striker son Jason quit.

"I want to record our thanks for the great work done by Mick over the last two seasons," added Roberts.

"He saved us from relegation and put us on a much stronger footing and I personally am very sorry to see him go."

See Wednesday's Advertiser for the latest developments.