MALVERN Town are anticipating a bumper crowd of between 1,000 and 2,000 at the HDanywhere Community Stadium as newly-formed Hereford FC play their first match next Tuesday (7.45pm).

The early pre-season friendly will see plenty of Hereford fans, eager to see some football after Hereford United were wound up last season, flocking to a ground which normally attracts attendances of around 120 for West Midlands League Premier Division fixtures.

Malvern managing director Chris Pinder is planning for Malvern's biggest gate in at least a decade, especially as many fans of Midland League Premier Division new boys Hereford are based in the town and surrounding area.

Pinder said: "I was expecting about 1,000 but the police tell us it could even be up to 2,000. We're having to take steps to potentially accommodate those people in terms of stewarding and ordering more refreshments.

"It will be a great occasion for both clubs and gives us a good financial start to the season. Hereford fans are desperate to see their new team play and they have beaten some Football League clubs in season-ticket sales. It should be an enthusiastic atmosphere.

"There have been changes at our ground. We've fenced the pitch off to make it more contained, refurbished the floodlights and reseeded the pitch. We will be improving the clubhouse as the season goes on.

"We're just happy Hereford have chosen to play us first. Their chairman (Jon Hale) used to be my Sunday league manager at Anchor Falcons and is my cousin-in-law."

Hereford, managed by Peter Beadle, have added experience to their squad by signing old United favourites Tony James, 36, and Rob Purdie, 32, alongside a host of young local talent.

Meanwhile, Malvern boss Les Jones hopes to finally give a first-team debut to Dane Aldington after signing the midfielder from Littleton last season, while left-sided local teenager Lewis Platt could return to the club.

Otherwise, Jones has retained many of the young, talented squad who finished fifth in the table to qualify for the FA Cup extra preliminary round, which is being drawn today, and won the Worcestershire FA Senior Urn.

Midfielder Kirk Layton has joined Southern League outfit Bishop's Cleeve after a successful campaign, while stalwart defender Chris Allen has retired.

Jones said: "We are looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd. The main thing for me was to get most of the players from last season to re-sign."

Experienced centre-half Dene Whittal-Williams will miss much of pre-season due to a thigh injury and knee infection.

Malvern have secured Howsell Road-based MOT and servicing centre Motor Link as their main kit sponsor.