CINDERFORD Town officials face an uphill task to upgrade the club’s Causeway home in time for the March deadline – and are calling on the help of volunteers around the Dean.

FA representative Tony Stone visited the Causeway last week to discuss ground grading requirements for the Southern League Premier Division.

The club’s kitchen, supporters shop and oil burner have been updated, while the roof and ceiling in the bar have also been improved.

But despite improving these facilities since taking over in the summer, the club’s new committee still have plenty of work to do.

“A decision was made there and then to go for the Southern League Premier grading because the amount of work isn’t much more than that required for the lower division,” said a club spokesperson of the FA visit.

“There is however, still a lot of work to do for both.

“As well as a lot of niggling small jobs that have been outstanding for years, the bigger jobs are difficult but achievable, bearing in mind how much has already been completed this season.

“The biggest tasks are to seal the recently laid surface surrounding the pitch by applying a bitumen dressing, and increasing undercover seating and standing capacity to 500 in total.

“We also need to increase the distance between the goal line and safety railings, which will be achieved by shrinking the pitch by the smallest of margins, and provide a simple fence along the embankment on the top touchline and behind the Causeway End goal.

“First on the agenda is the top stand. As most know, the steps are dangerously small, and certainly well beyond their sell by date.

“Because of the condition of the steps, the stand was graded at minimal capacity, so the intention is to double it in size and enough to accommodate all undercover standing requirement.

“Seats need to be added to the main stand which is around 20 short of the league requirement. The extra seats will be added by either extending the main stand onto the adjacent steps, or by setting aside an area in the newly built stand.

“Without doubt, we will need all the voluntary help available. Work has to be completed by end of March without fail.”