A TOWN football club is steaming ahead with plans for major improvements to its historic stadium after receiving a cash boost.

Willington AFC hopes to net grants of more than £40,000 to redevelop its Hall Lane Stadium to bring it up to new league standards.

Ground inspectors, who visited Willington's 93-year-old ground, demanded improvements should be made to meet new Football Association requirements.

The Albany Northern League outfit is now pressing ahead with the plans, which need to be in place in the next few weeks, after securing the first phase of funding.

A grant of £5,000 from the Single Regeneration Budget community development fund for Crook and Willington, and £700 from Wear Valley District Council's community fund, have been awarded to the club. The council also issued a six month extension to the SRB grant, enabling the club to continue hunting for other funds for the development before it must be spent.

Club chairman John Phelan hopes to secure the bulk of the funds needed, around £41,000, from the Football Foundation's Football Stadium Improvement Fund.

Along with the cash windfall, the club received some more good news when Sport England approved plans for a new grandstand at the stadium.

A planning application for the stand, which will provide covered standing room for 150 fans, has just been lodged with the district council. The club also plans to widen hard standing, provide wheelchair access and improve shower and toilet facilities.

Chairman John Phelan said: "Our league status could depend on this work so it is very important to the club that we have been able to press ahead with plans.

"The grants from the council, and the extension to the SRB expiry date, have been a life-saver. Without their support we couldn't make a start with the plans.

"The £700 covers planning and building regulation costs, and the rest will help with our bids to other agencies."

A spokesman for the Football Foundation said: "Money is available through our Football Stadia Improvements division to support all clubs.

"Many clubs from professional down to grassroots have benefited from the scheme."