Malvern Town: managers preview promotion-relegation play-off

Highworth Town stand in their way of promotion on Saturday in their promotion-relegation play-off at the Save on Tyres Stadium in Swindon (3PM kick-off). 

Malvern co-managers Lee Hooper and Stephen Cleal led Malvern to a second-placed finish in this season's Hellenic League Premier to reach the play-off stage, having just missed out in the 2021/22 campaign.

Malvern Town managers Lee Hooper (left) and Stephen Cleal (right) speak ahead of Saturday's play-off (Image: Cliff Williams)

But now, The Hillsiders have a chance to reach the Southern League for just the second time in their history and no one is about to play-down the magnitude of the match this weekend.

"I was involved in the only time we have been promoted to the Southern League, as a young player. I was part of the promotion then but that was through finishing third and a reprieve from the league," said Hooper.

Lee Hooper has been promoted to the Southern League with Malvern once before, can he now do it as manager? (Image: Cliff Williams)

"So to go up through winning a play-off would mean so much and I would say that would be the biggest day in the club's recent history, if not overall.

"Last season we finished our first campaign at Step 5 in third place and now we have gone one better and finished second and got ourselves a play-off. If we can get that win on Saturday it will be an outstanding achievement.

"But we do not want to get carried away. We have a job to do and our focus is fully on that before any thoughts of what will happen afterwards."

Those comments were echoed by co-manager Cleal, who knows this Saturday needs to be a group effort from all the playing staff but also the fans, who he believes have a massive role to play.

"Now that we know who we are playing and where, rather than all the speculation, we can focus fully on the task that stands before us," added Cleal.

Stephen Cleal, co-manager at Malvern Town, knows what is at stake this weekend. (Image: Cliff Williams)

"It could be a historic day for the club. Going to any side from the level above is tough and our hosts will be doing all they can to maintain their Step 4 status, so it is up to us to give our all and get the win.

"Of course, it’s going to take one big team effort with everyone playing their part. I cannot stress enough how important our fans will be as a ‘12th man’ to get us over the finish line."