TROWBRIDGE Town could be just one step away from playing Screwfix Direct League football at their Woodmarsh ground next season.

After gaining permission from their landlords, Trowbridge Town Council, the club is to put in a planning application today to build a sheltered stand to accommodate 50 fans.

If this is passed the club believe they will not need to move from their Woodmarsh home to play in the Screwfix League next season.

Club chairman John Fitchen said the news is very encouraging.

He said: "We had a meeting with the league secretary Ken Clarke and his assistant, John Poole, to discuss what we would need to do to stay at our Woodmarsh ground.

"It looks now as though we could get away with making just one or two improvements.

"We don't want to ground share. It is in our best interests to remain in Trowbridge."

Other improvements that will be need to be made include putting in hard standing on two sides of the pitch and extending the dug-outs.

Fitchen said: "The stand, which needs to be a minimum of 27 square metres is the only thing we need planning permission for.

"Our problem is the Screwfix League want plans in place by April so we have to move quickly."

There has been a history of trouble between the club and local residents at Woodmarsh but Fitchen hopes permission for the stand will be granted.

He said: "We have got great support and there seems to be no trouble anymore. There were a number of concerns with the neighbours about four years ago, like traffic gridlock and swearing, but we now have credibility and I hope the locals will take it into consideration. It won't cause much disruption.

"If we can get that under way by April and finish in the top two we should be able to take our place in the Screwfix League next season."

At a council meeting on Tuesday evening the ground's leaseholders gave their permission for the application to be submitted, on the proviso the stand can be taken down if the club does move on at a late date.

Cllr Jeff Osborn said: "We are in a crucial situation. There are long term plans for a major relocation.

"If we are going to move up to the Screwfix League we have to get something sorted out over the next couple of months."

Manager Neil Kirkpatrick believes even if it is only a short-term measure the club should stay in Trowbridge.

He said: "It is definitely good news as we all want to stay in Trowbridge.

"We are still looking to relocate to a new ground in the future but this would buy us the bit of time needed.

"This option would be better than ground sharing. I have been the one pushing for this and I believe we can get Woodmarsh up to the league's requirements."

League secretary Clarke said: "I have not even seen the ground yet and until I do I can't make too much comment.

"I have given Trowbridge a list of the criteria and they seem confident Woodmarsh can meet them and if this is so then we will be delighted to have them in the league. But we want to stress that we do not want to lower the standard of the league."