Eastwood Town plan ground upgrade to stay in league

A NOTTS non-league football club plans to redevelop its ground to avoid the risk of demotion.

Eastwood Town FC needs to revamp part of Coronation Park to meet FA guidelines – or face losing its Blue Square North division status.

The Badgers, who were promoted to the league after winning the Northern Premier League title in May, are required to meet the Football Association's Grade 'B' ground grading by the end of the current season next May.

The side has now applied to Broxtowe Borough Council for permission to redevelop part of the ground to upgrade it to Grade 'B' status.

If unsuccessful, the club could have its registration to the league revoked.

A planning report submitted to the council on the club's behalf by Langley Mill-based firm AMT Building & Joinery Ltd says: "The proposals to bring the ground up to league standards by providing new spectator facilities is just the latest of Eastwood Town's ambitions to provide a team and ground that its supporters and local community can be proud of."

The document adds: "The first, and main reason, behind providing the facilities is the requirement to meet Grade 'B' of the FA Ground grading.

"The ground needs to meet certain facilities and safety standards by the end of the season in order to remain in the Blue Square North division."

Eastwood are currently second in the division and aiming for promotion to the Blue Square Premier – one level below the Football League.

The club has applied for permission to build new toilet facilities, two new turnstile buildings on the South Stand and a temporary covered stand with seating for 114 people.

It also needs to install temporary toilets in the North and East Stands, three new exit gates to the South Stand perimeter boundary, and a new exit gate to the East Stand.

The club also has to create new walkways and standing areas to the South, East and West Stands, and to build a 1.1m high perimeter fence around the pitch – but it doesn't need planning permission for these improvements.

The Coronation Park ground in Chewton Street currently has a 5,500-capacity, with seating for 650 people.

Officials from Eastwood Town FC were unavailable for comment yesterday.

For more information about Eastwood Town's proposals, visit http://planning.broxtowe.gov.uk and quote application reference number 09/00346/FUL.

bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk