A TOWN football club is celebrating after it received the final funding it needs to redevelop its 93-year-old ground and safeguard its league status.

Willington AFC has been awarded £44,000 to improve its Hall Lane Stadium to bring it up to revised league standards.

Club chairman John Phelan was delighted this week when the club secured the bulk of the funds needed - £49,174 in total - from the Football Foundation's Football Stadium Improvement Fund.

The club will build a new stand, to provide a covered area for 150 fans, widen hard standing, provide wheelchair access and improve shower and toilet facilities.

Ground inspectors said that improvements were needed this year to meet new Football Association requirements or the club could lose its league status.

The Albany Northern League club started planning the ground developments in March after securing the first phase of funding - £5,000 from the Single Regeneration Budget and £700 from Wear Valley District Council.

Mr Phelan said: "The club has hit the jackpot with this grant.

"Last season we narrowly escaped relegation.

"This year things are going better on the pitch, largely thanks to manager Alan Shoulder, but our Northern League status was threatened because of the ground regulations until the cash was raised for redevelopment.

"Hopefully, we can go on and build on this for the future, the facilities will be vastly improved for players and for supporters, including the disabled.

"The club is grateful to the fund providers and I have to congratulate the very small, but hard-working committee that have kept Northern League football alive in Willington."

Peter Lee, chief executive of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Football Foundation, said: "I am delighted to be able to award this grant to Willington Football Club. It is vital for the survival of clubs outside the professional game that this investment continues.

"I pay a particular tribute to the hard work and dedication of all at the club for making this funding a reality."

Along with the cash windfall, the club has benefited from local goodwill this week as CA Roofing, of Evenwood, which has provided sheet- ing to repair the changing room roof that was damaged by strong winds three weeks ago.