TROWBRIDGE Town are confident Woodmarsh will meet the requirements to stage Screwfix League football next season.

After a visit from league officials last week the Wiltshire League club have been given a list of improvements needed on the ground before promotion is allowed.

The major stumbling block will be getting planning permission for a sheltered stand for 50 supporters but if this goes through Trowbridge are optimistic about their chances of playing at higher-level next campaign.

Six Wiltshire bosses landed themselves in trouble with the County FA after telling the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News they did not think Woodmarsh should be accepted into the Screwfix League in its current form.

Speaking a week after the managers were cleared of bringing the game into disrepute, Trowbridge chairman John Fitchen said he agreed with their views but insisted the ground could be improved.

He said: "We know our ground is not up to Screwfix standard but that is why we have started work to improve it.

"We have no grudges with any of the managers or clubs about what they said because they were right.

"But we have had the Screwfix League officials down twice now and the signs are very encouraging that we can get it up to the right standard.

"They were not speaking out against Trowbridge as a club, we know that, and I think they would all welcome us into the league if we can get the work done we are planning."

As well as a new stand, the club have been informed they will need hard standing on two sides of the ground, a room for visiting officials and also an area where all the equipment can be stored.

A planning application has already been submitted and the club are expecting to hear the verdict within the next month.

If successful, Fitchen is confident everything can be in place by the June deadline the Screwfix League have given them.

He said: "I don't think we will have a problem. I am encouraged by the parish council (North Bradley) who, although originally against the plans, have supported them now.

"A lot of work has gone in to start putting the hard standing down and the stand is almost built and just ready to relocate to Woodmarsh when we get permission.

"A lot of people have objected to these plans but I think they have over-reacted. All the talk about big crowds and crowd congestion won't be a problem as I think the parish council's support shows."

The application for a new stand has been made with the proviso that it will only be temporary and will be taken down after five years.

Fitchen accepts Trowbridge's long-term future is not at Woodmarsh but is worried about the lack of sporting facilities in the area.

He said: "We are the county town of Wiltshire and should have a higher standard of football here. We will not be able to progress any further with Woodmarsh because after the Screwfix League you will need flood lights.

"There is a dire shortage of facilities for sports and leisure in Trowbridge. If you look at where I live overlooking Paxcroft Mead there are now hundreds of houses there.

"It used to be green fields and still should be. Where can all the extra youngsters that are coming into the area go to play? It is a real shame.

"There is all this talk about a vision for Trowbridge but what the district council should do is go out and buy a 50 acre site and designate it to sport."

Fitchen, 69, moved to Trowbridge in 1946 and has been involved with the club for as long he can remember.

"I am enjoying my football more now than I ever have done," he said.

"I have seen us at the top of the Western League but the team spirit around the place now is better than ever.

"The youth is the future for the club. We don't want to be bringing in older players who just want to play for money.

"But if nothing is sorted for the club to move forward by the time I reach 70, which is next year, I will step down as chairman and let someone else do it.

"I will still support the club but we need to move forward and I just hope everyone in Trowbridge is behind us doing that.

"The main question everyone needs to be addressing is the lack of facilities for youngsters wanting to play sport in Trowbridge rather than the suitability of Woodmarsh."