MALVERN Town have been invited to apply for promotion from Step 5 of the non-league football pyramid after the FA listed them as one of the sides suitable for immediate consideration.

Town were ranked as the number one side in the last two seasons in the Hellenic League West, ahead of Thornbury Town and Hereford Lads, after each side in Steps 5 and 6 were ranked using a points-per-game (PPG) system.

The Hillsiders were top of the table in each of the past two seasons before both were declared null and void due to the disruption caused by coronavirus.

This is all part of the delayed restructure of the league system between steps 4-6 - which was originally planned for the season just gone - and now clubs, that have been listed by the FA, have been invited to provide details of their ground grading, security of tenure and finances by Monday 3rd May.

Each application will then be considered by an FA committee as to whether they can be promoted up a step.

Malvern look set to play their football in Step 5 as of next season but which league they will be in, is still to be decided, but recognition for their performances in the last two years looks set to finally be rewarded.

One side who have missed out are Worcester Raiders.

Despite being second in The West-Midlands (Regional) League (WMRL) Premier Division at the curtailment of the 2020/21 season, their previous campaign's performance means they did not achieve a high-enough PPG.

There is a chance they might get lucky, however, if sides opt out of applying for promotion and due to the fact Raiders have the facilities and finances to support playing at a higher level.

Shifnal Town, Bewdley Town and Wolverhampton Casuals are the three from the WMRL who are have been selected. Raiders beat Bewdley Town 4-3 back in October and were behind Shifnal by two points (with a game in hand) when the season was ended.

Worcester City and Stourport Swifts won't be going anywhere either, not that it was expected, as Sporting Khalsa, Coventry United and Romulus are the three sides who have been invited to apply for movement from the Midland Football League.