MALVERN Town Football Club is looking to re-establish itself at the heart of the town's community after registering as a not-for-profit organisation.

Directors Chris Pinder and Ted Grizzell completed their takeover of the club in September and now plan to adopt a pioneering approach to running a semi-professional football club as a social enterprise.

By becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC), the club must act for the good of the community and its profits and assets must be used for the benefit of local people.

Mr Pinder said: “Ted and I got involved to save the club and enjoy it, not profit from it. Our ambition is to be a vibrant, visible and viable club, self-sustaining with improved community facilities and activities.

"To achieve this, we must top-up our current income with external grant funding and other support.

"Similar to a charity, being a registered CIC means we are officially not-for-profit, which qualifies Malvern Town Football Club for more potential funding streams from people like The Lottery, SportEngland and the FA."

The club has already invested in the laying of a new professional-grade pitch at its Langland Stadium home and is also looking to update the dilapidated changing room facilities with new heating, lighting, electrics and showers in-time for the start of the 2014/15 season.

Mr Pinder added: “We have all age groups playing at the club next year, including children’s finals and a ladies side. They really deserve to use a warm changing room with a hot shower and compete on a professional-grade pitch.

"We are already delivering the best pitch in the area, but we need help with the building works. Now that we are officially ‘not-for-profit’ I hope this increases our chances of attracting outside assistance from benevolent local companies and funding organisations.”

All the buildings on the site also require replacement roofs and insulation to improve energy efficiency.

Prior to the takeover, the club had debts of more than £200,000 and faced being forced to sell its Langland Stadium home.

For more information and to get involved with the club, email Mr Pinder via chris@malverntown.co.uk.