MALVERN United Football Club have been awarded the FA Charter Standard in their first season.

To become recognised in this way, the club's management and coaches had to complete FA coaching courses, attend child protection training, first aid courses, and produce a manual setting out their constitution and codes of conduct.

Worcestershire FA Develop-ment Officer, Andy Norman, said after presenting the award: "It's a great achievement for a club that's just started up to receive this award, and manager Dave Harford has done a lot of hard work to get the club to this stage.

"It's nice to see such a well mannered, well behaved team play with the emphasis on fun and realise that there is more to the game than winning."

This season the club has organised trips to England and Hereford games, did a tour of Eastbourne, had a bowling evening, and next season have already got booked a coaching day at the Hawthorns with West Bromwich Albion followed by tickets to see the game.

Malvern United will be playing in the Mercian U15 league next season and any players wishing to join the club can contact Dave Harford on 01684 561361.