NEIGHBOURING football clubs are looking to secure their future by bidding for grants to carry out stadium improvements.

Football League inspectors have visited Crook Town and Willington's grounds and demanded improvements to meet new league requirements.

The two Albany Northern League sides are now hoping to win the support of funding agencies, the local council and fans to bring their stadiums up to standard.

Plans to upgrade Crook Town Football Club's ground could even see the club move from its Millfield Stadium to a new ground in the town.

The club has held talks with officers from Wear Valley District Council, which owns the Millfield site, to explore the possibility of improvements or relocation.

Council chief executive Iain Phillips said: "The council is working with the club on some exciting possibilities for the future which may arise from the relocation of the club.

"There is a lot more to be done but we are looking forward with hope."

Club chairman Steve Buddle said: "With £8,000 we could make real changes to our facilities, like improving the changing rooms, kitchen and committee room in the grandstand, and for about £25,000 we could update and expand the stands.

"Although moving grounds is a possibility, it would cost a lot more than that, figures I don't think the club could raise."

Willington Association Football Club hopes to secure more than £40,000 to revamp its Hall Lane Stadium, plans for which need to be in place by April.

Club chairman John Phelan said the club was bidding for £41,000 from the Football Foundation's Football Stadia Improvement Fund to widen hard standing, add a covered stand with wheelchair access and improve shower and lavatory facilities.

Mr Phelan said: "We are having the electricity upgraded because we have had trouble powering the lights and showers in the changing pavilion and kitchen.

"Now we need to get the rest of the ground up to scratch. Our league status could depend on it."

Mr Phillips said the council was also working with Willington and could provide grants if funding was secured from other sources to assist with future work.

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

"We look forward to applications from both clubs, many clubs from professional down to grassroots have benefited from the scheme."