FORMER Kidderminster Harriers manager Shaun Cunnington has been unveiled as the new boss of Alvechurch.

And the 39-year-old has wasted no time in shaking things up at Lye Meadow, snapping up two Harriers' youngsters on a month's loan.

Cunnington brings a wealth of experience to Church. He had 16 years as a player before turning his hand to management, firstly with the Harriers youth teams and then for a five-match stint with the first team following the departure of Jan Molby last season.

As a player Cunnington began as an 18-year-old with Wrexham before heading to Grimsby Town.

Further moves saw him head to Sunderland in a £650,000 move in 1992 before switching to West Brom, Notts County and Harriers, arriving at Aggborough in 1998.

His five matches in charge of the League Two strugglers resulted in five defeats but he will have plenty of advice at hand should he run into difficulties at Alvechurch.

"I was fortunate as a player because I won four promotions," Cunnington said. "I worked for some good managers including Jan Molby, Sam Allardyce, Peter Reid and Alan Buckley. I still keep in touch with some of them and Jan has offered me some help in the past."

Although the former midfielder was not due to take charge until last night's Midland Alliance match with Stourbridge, he admitted he had already seen a number of games at Lye Meadow - including Saturday's 1-0 Polymac Services League Cup victory over Boldmere St Michaels.

"I went down to watch and ended up getting involved from the bench," Cunnington explained.

"Everyone will be given the opportunity to show me what they've got but I will also be looking to bring in some players."

Youngsters Jermaine Hollis and Russell Penn have moved from Kidderminster on a month's loan and are likely to figure in Church's match at Coalville Town on Saturday (ko 3pm). The Lye Meadow side then travel to Sutton Coldfield to take on Romulus on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).