ALVECHURCH have announced the shock appointment of former England goalkeeper Tim Flowers as their new manager.

Redditch United said that the Premier League winner, who was at the helm at the club, informed them that he not only would not be in charge for their Southern League Premier Division Central game against Stamford but also his departure from the Reds "late" on Friday (November 15), just two days before his move to Church was announced.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers shot stopper will take the reigns after Church's Birmingham Senior Cup clash with Highgate United on Tuesday (November 19).

Read more: Alvechurch suffer nine-minute collapse in 5-3 defeat to Barwell

Flowers had managed the likes of Solihull Moors, Barnet, Gloucester City, Stratford Town and Bromsgrove Sporting in the past.

This followed Church announcing the sacking of former manager Jimmy Fry on Wednesday (November 13) after gaining just one point from a possible 21, leaving the club within reach of the relegation zone.

Fry's final game in charge was a 2-1 away defeat at Leiston on Tuesday (November 12) in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Despite the hirings and firings, Church managed to scrape through to the third round of the FA Trophy with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Chasetown.

The match at Lye Meadow ended 0-0 after regular play on Saturday (November 16) with the result decided from the spot.

Goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead was the hero of the day, saving an early penalty from Chasetown's Dan O'Callaghan in the 19th minute and then denying Kris Taylor in the shootout.

Player Richard Batchelor took caretaker charge for the game.

Despite Chasetown's control of the clash, former Church player O'Callaghan's missed penalty in the first half proved costly.

The second half was a scrappy affair with the deadlock remaining unbroken as the game went to penalties.

Church gained an immediate advantage with Hollingshead's save from Taylor.

Kieran Wakefield, Tyrone Barnett, Joe Willis and Ammar Dyer all converted their penalties for Church before Ethan Sephton sealed the victory with the last of the regulation five kicks.

Church's opponents in the next round will be drawn today (Monday, November 18).