Malvern Town’s first-ever promotion into Step 3 has extra significance for Reece King.
It was with his hometown club where King got his first taste of senior action as a raw teenager at Step 7. Not only did he make his presence felt on the pitch, but he also assisted in the ground improvement works that were taking place at the time.
It provided a grounding and foundation that saw him go on to grace the higher levels of the non-League game before returning home earlier this season from Bromsgrove Sporting and helping the club navigate the Division One South play-offs, culminating in their dramatic 3-2 victory over Shaftesbury.
“This promotion means everything to me,” King told us. “Growing up locally, you understand what the club represents to the community. Even having had a spell away, it makes coming back and achieving this even more special and to do it with family and people you have known for a long time in the stands is something I’m really proud of.
“When I was playing for the club at Step 7 back in those early days, I never expected this rise on and off the pitch, if I am being totally honest.
“I started here and then had a period playing higher up the pyramid, which gave me a different perspective. But to come back and be part of this journey with the club is incredible – it’s hard to explain exactly how far things have come both on and off the pitch and that is a credit to everyone involved with the club.”
Talk then turned to Monday’s promotion-clinching Play-Off Final where we were able to battle out a 3-2 victory over Shaftesbury in front of a crowd of over 2,000.
“It was a proper rollercoaster,” he said with a smile. “We started well and went 1-0 up, then found ourselves 2-1 down, which could’ve knocked us, but the character we showed to respond was outstanding.
“To get the late winner and take it 3-2 just sums up this group - resilient and never giving in. Personally, I just tried to stay focused and do my job with the experience I have gained, but it was all about the team on the day.
“To see the whole place buzzing and packed to capacity is what football’s about. Seeing that many people there, hearing the noise, and knowing your family, partner and friends are in the crowd - it gives you that extra push.
“The atmosphere there on Monday was up the with the very best I've experienced. The pitch invasion was something else, such a sense of relief and elation!”
Now the focus turns to preparing for the challenge that Step 3 will present and King’s experience at this level is going to prove crucial.
“This is when the real work begins,” he added. “We’ll enjoy this moment, but we know Step 3 is another level.
“We know what’s required and as a group we’ll need to raise things again to compete. We will find out which league we go into soon and can start preparing accordingly.”
IMAGE: Hillside Throttle Photography
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