AMBITIOUS Malvern Town’s preparations for the new West Midlands League season are gathering pace.

Experienced former goalkeeper Jim McGettrick has been appointed as football consultant to assist football director Ted Grizzell.

The club are also working to improve their Langland Stadium home through to Sunday with the help of players and volunteers.

New Town operators Chris Pinder and Grizzell are initially investing £15,000, which includes an £1,800 Sport England grant, to complete priorities.

They include replacing the changing room roof, repainting and cladding buildings to improve the look and feel of their base.

The work will match on-pitch ambitions with McGettrick hoping to help Malvern, who open pre-season at home to Causeway on Saturday, July 12 (3pm), aim for the title straight away.

He said: “I’m very excited to get started at the Town. The high calibre of staff means the club are in an excellent position going forward.

“I’ll be working on a practical level with the first team but providing general support and advice to all teams within the club.

“I’ll support Ted in helping the first team to further their challenge for the Premier Division title this season.”

McGettrick, 31, is an ex-Birmingham City academy player, who also played at various levels for Kidderminster Harriers, Bromsgrove, Evesham and Stourbridge.

He works as a team leader in the FA’s skills programme across the West Midlands and boasts a level three UEFA ‘B’ coaching license.

On the ground work, Pinder said: “The club are looking to continually improve the facilities for supporters and players, making it a nicer place to play at and visit.

“We need to maximise every penny in the pound, which means relying on volunteers for skills, time and expertise.

“Luckily, a lot of players and supporters are tradesmen, who are happy to give up their time, so we should be able to achieve a large number of improvements within our budget.”

Malvern’s open trials start tomorrow for the first team, under 21s and 18s at 2.30pm at Dyson Perrins Academy.

Les Jones will continue as first team head coach with Ian Luton and Carl Pitt as technical and assistant coach respectively.

The under 21s will be coached by Derek Doyle with Jez Vernaeve and Colin Brown alongside, the under 18s by Grizzell, Luke Norman and Adam Morse and the women by Nicky Gregg, Dave Cole and Heidi Barlow.

Potential players can e-mail Ted@MalvernTown.co.uk and volunteers to help with the ground work can head to the club in Langland Avenue.