UHLSport Hellenic League

WANTAGE Town chairman Tony Woodward has confirmed his club have applied for promotion to the Zamaretto Southern League.

Wantage, who are second in the UHLSport Hellenic League Premier Division, are the only Oxfordshire side seeking the step up.

Ardley United and Kidlington have not applied due to a combination of financial constraints and ground issues.

But Woodward said after a meeting with Football Association ground inspectors that the Alfredian Park outfit will seek promotion.

He said: “We put our bid in before December 31, and we have just had our inspection.

“I gather it is only ourselves and Shortwood who have applied.”

There had been concerns that Wantage’s ground, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, would not make the grade.

Woodward explained: “We need to be compliant with Grade E on the FA standards, and there are two or three areas where we struggle.

“The main one is the need for a six-foot high boundary fence to enclose the ground.

“The view from the Ridgeway into Wantage envelops the ground and the planners told us they would probably object to a fully-boarded fence.

“But I’ve met with Simon Wood from the FA, and he’s confident that because all of the ground surrounding our stadium is private, he doesn’t think that would be a problem.

“On the strength of that, we will go ahead with other improvements, adding more seats and turnstiles.”

Woodward said he is delighted to apply as it displays the ambition of the club.

“I’m pretty chuffed to be honest. I feel that we can achieve the required grade by the deadline in March.

“It’s then up to us to make sure we finish either first or second.

Woodward is not concerned about the increased expenditure the step up would bring.

He said: “The travelling doesn’t bother me. It’s more the player expectation in terms of wages and expenses.

“If we step up, we will need to add one or two players for experience, so we will need to look at that carefully.

“We start every season with the sole objective of breaking even, and that would be our aim next season.

“I would hope we would get a few more spectators through the gate and more support in terms of sponsorship.”

Ardley, who are leading the division, have not applied due to ground grading, while Kidlington followed suit.

Kidlington press officer Simon Dickens said: “We do not have a ground that meets the standards, and it would cost thousands of pounds to bring this up to scratch, which we do not have.”

Ardley chairman Norman Stacey said: “Player-wise, I’m sure we would hold our own at a higher level, but the ground needs a lot of work.

“As it’s on a village playing field, it would be a struggle to get planning permssion.

“Finance-wise, there’s simply no money available to bring about the improvements.”