A FOOTBALL club that was on the brink of collapse can enjoy its promotion after funding from a council paid for an essential upgrade of their stadium.

Willington AFC will be playing in the Northern League for the first time in seven seasons when the new campaign starts in August.

But their Hall Lane stadium needed urgent work to ensure it met their new league’s standards.

The club turned to Greater Willington Town Council who provided the funding to make the necessary changes.

Around £2,900 from the council’s community fund has been used to re-roof the ground’s 1950s-built 250-seater main stand and build two new dugouts for managers and players.

The council also gave the club £1,700, which had been allocated by a public vote in Willington through the Participatory Budgeting scheme.

That money has been used to buy a new ride-on lawn mower and other grounds maintenance equipment. The promotion marks a major turn-around for Willington FC which, in the beginning of 2009, was facing a crisis.

The club had only won one of their 23 league games and had debts in the thousands of pounds.

A new committee took over who appointed Rob Lee as manager and their efforts culminated in a second placed finish in the Wearside League earning promotion to the Northern League.

Club secretary Geoff Siddle said the funding was vital to ensure the club could move up.

He said: “The roof of the stand was flapping in the wind and the dugouts were unsafe.

“We are very grateful to the council for their help.

“Amateur football is enjoying a renaissance at the moment and we are delighted Willington are can be part of the game’s success.”

Mr Siddle said the club is now looking at strengthening ties with the youth teams in the town with a view to producing more homegrown players.

Helen Cogdon, clerk of the town council, praised the club for winning promotion and said it was good news for the whole town.

She said: “The fact that the club is willing to share its success and recognise partner organisations who have invested in them is a great example of the community working together.

“We are thrilled to see Willington FC doing so well.”