The new owners of a non-league football club have expressed their desire to reach the National League for the first time.
Corby Town currently competes in the Northern Premier League’s Midlands Division, which is the eighth tier of the English football pyramid.
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Chris Mallender, the former chief executive of Corby Borough Council, alongside investors Raj Uppal, Ben Cripps, and Craig Nolan, aims to create “an immediate impact” with the Steelmen.
“These individuals are serious about their commitment,” said Mallender, who will take on the role of club chairman pending FA approval.
Last week, the club revealed that Willoughby (607) Ltd, operating as The Three Goats, had acquired a majority stake along with all financial interests previously held by owner Paul Glass.
The Three Goats, a hospitality and leisure group, was founded by Uppal and Cripps, while Nolan co-owns a construction and project management firm based in Corby.
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Mallender has a 20-year connection with the club, playing a part in its relocation to Steel Park stadium in 2011.
Stadium Potential
In an interview on BBC Radio Northampton’s Non-League Scene, Mallender emphasized that enhancing the club’s stadium is a major objective for the new ownership.
“The stadium has massive untapped potential,” he commented. “It was always envisioned as more than just a football venue—it was meant to serve as a community hub.”
“We [the investors] possess the expertise to fully realize that potential. With the right investment, it is expected to become one of the finest stadiums in non-league football.”
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Corby Town, established in 1948, has spent its entire existence in non-league football. The club has experienced two stints in the National League North, but it has yet to reach the top tier of non-league football.
“The owners are determined to reach the National League. I believe competing in the National League North is an ambitious but achievable goal,” Mallender remarked.
“In a year’s time, this club will be transformed. We are enhancing every aspect. When we announce new signings and stadium plans, it will be clear how ambitious we are.”