MALVERN TOWN boss Les Jones says it is vital the club keep hold of its key players in the summer as they bid to further progress next season.
The Hillsiders are bidding to secure their highest finish in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division in recent years with just weeks to go until the end of the campaign.
Despite winning just three of their opening ten games this season, Malvern have gone from strength-to-strength, topping the form tables over the last 20 games which have seen Jones’ side collect 44 points out of a possible 60.
But despite having crucial points left to play for, Jones told the Observer preparations for next season have already begun and stressed the importance for the club to stay united so they can push on again next season.
“The plan at the end of the season is to retain all of our players and we are looking to bring in one or two additions,” he said.
“Each year we are trying to progress and with the infrastructure is in place, especially with the under-21s and under-18s coming through their ranks.
“We’ll also be hoping to get off to a better start this season and we want to have a fully fit squad ready for the next campaign.
“We have a young squad and we are looking to push on. You can’t stand still in football.”
Malvern can still finish fourth in the league, a position which Jones said would be a huge step forward for the whole club.
“If we finish in fourth at the end of the season it would be a fantastic achievement,” he said.
“It also secures us FA Cup qualification and as we want to progress, we would be going in the right direction.
“There’s a long way to go yet as sides like Wolverhampton Sporting Community and Ellesmere Rangers have games in hand but we’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”
Saturday’s postponement at Wellington Amateurs has been re-arranged to be played on Tuesday, May 10 (7.45pm KO).