THE OWNERS of Malvern Town are bidding to strengthen their links with the community after registering the football club as a non-for-profit company.
Chris Pinder and Ted Grizzell have announced plans to make the club, which they took over in September last year, a Community Interest Company (CIC).
They are believed to be one of just a handful of owners of a semi-professional club in the UK to look at adopting the approach which prevents its profits and assets being diverted away from the community.
Mr Pinder said it would also give them the opportunity to secure further funds to pump into the club, which plays in the West Midlands Regional League – the tenth tier of English football.
“Ted and I got involved to save the club and enjoy it, not profit from it,” he said. “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 MTFC for more potential funding streams from people like The Lottery, Sport England and the FA.”
Work has already began to lay a new professional-grade pitch at the Langland Stadium, while Mr Pinder said they are also looking to update their home ground’s changing rooms, with new heating, lighting and showers ahead of the start of the 2014/15 season.
“We have all age groups playing at the club next year, including children’s finals and an MTFC Ladies side,” he added. “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.”
