MALVERN Town chairman Paul Pallett says he is “disappointed” but positive about the future after the FA rubberstamped the club’s move to the Midland Alliance following their relegation from British Gas Business Division One Midlands.

After weeks of speculation, Malvern’s position in the football pyramid for next term was confirmed and, with the deadline for applications for the new manager of the club to close today, the club can now plan for the season.

Club officials have also welcomed the move due to the added cost of travelling to matches, many of which were more than 300-mile round trips, which usually saw depleted squads attending.

Pallett said: “I’m disappointed that we have lost our spot in the Southern Football League.

“The new league we’re going into will be a springboard for success which we have lacked over the last couple of years.

“The club’s budget will be more in line with the Midland Football Alliance and will give us a good opportunity to compete. We don’t really want to go into debt.

“The distances covered in Division One Midlands are immense and we just look forward now, but we found the league to be run very professionally.”

The three candidates for the Town managerial post are set to be interviewed next week.

Town held their end-of-season presentation evening at the Langland Stadium on May 30.

Former manager Joe Rawle and his assistant Martin Day handed the first team’s player-of-the-year to both defender Andy Crowther and striker Craig Malins.

Goalkeeper Craig Humphries was players’ player-of-the-year.

In the reserve team, Jamie Adams was the managers’ player-of-the-year, Dale Humphries was crowned the players’ player-of-the-year and Rob Cullen was given special mention for being the team’s top scorer.

In the u18s category, Joe Kings was recognised as the team’s top scorer, Tom Daniels was named managers’ player-of-the-year, Craig Carter players’ player-of-the-year and Kings was sponsors’ player-of-the-year.

Tim Spate was the supporters award and clubman-of-the-year award was Brian Scott.