Defender Richard Beale has left AFC Telford United to become Birmingham City's new academy coach.

Beale hopes to continue playing football part-time and may link up with former Telford reserves boss Paul Holleran at Rushall Olympic.

The left-back told the Shropshire Star it will be hard to put Telford behind him after almost two years at the club.

"I am very, very sad to be leaving AFC Telford United - I think they are the biggest club in non-league."