THE owners of Malvern Town Football Club hope fans will turn out in their numbers to see the team battle for silverware at the end of a season of great transformation.

Chris Pinder and Ted Grizzell helped secure the club's future with their takeover in September and the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup Final against Pershore Town tomorrow (Saturday, May 17) at 2.30pm could crown a season of change on and off the pitch.

The club was riddled with debts of more than £200,000 and faced being forced to sell its Langland Stadium home but winning the cup on home turf could mark a dramatic turnaround that had already seen a number of developments.

Director Ted Grizzell said: "I'm hoping we can get more 200 people down. The football season has finished in terms of the Premier League, so people can come down and see we are really going towards something they can be proud of."

Mr Grizzell added attendances have more than doubled since they took over and said a bumper crowd would show the players the effect their upturn in performances have had on local people.

Chris Pinder, managing director, says winning the final would be a "fitting end" to the season which has seen them pick up 32 points in the 17 games since the takeover, compared to 19 points from the previous 25.

Mr Pinder said: "The main thing is we have converted to a community interest company, so we are officially not for profit.

"Hopefully we can demonstrate to other commercial sponsors and local businesses the money they are paying is being spent solely on the community benefit of football in Malvern."

He added there are a number of plans to improve the club's facilities for the players, supporters and local community.

As part of their ongoing 're-boot' of the club, the pair have unveiled a new official club crest, signed a three-year deal with kit manufacturer Joshila Sports and introduced the Malvern Town Development Centre with youth football and a ladies team returning.

Malvern Hills District Council also agreed to buy the stadium in Langland Avenue in January, further securing the club's future, and a professional-grade pitch will be installed in the close season.

Entry is £3 and the club is open from noon.