Hellenic League club Pewsey Vale have received a massive financial boost in their battle to secure promotion to the Hellenic Premier League.

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund has awarded the Wiltshire side a grant of £41,637, which will guarantee the club are able to meet the criteria needed to continue their meteoric rise up the football league.

More than £35 million has already been invested by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund since its launch in July 2000, funding ground improvements throughout the professional and amateur game, creating a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.

This grant will enable Pewsey to construct new spectator standing facilities and provide floodlighting at the Recreation Ground measures which will ensure their dream of promotion becomes a reality.

Just 18 months ago, Pewsey Vale were languishing at the bottom of the Screwfix league. Now, with ex-Town star Don Rogers at the helm, their fortunes have completely turned around.

Last season was their most successful ever, reaching two cup finals, and winning promotion after finishing runners up to Hook Norton in the Hellenic first division.

Manager Rogers believes that this promotion is just reward for all the players' hard work over the last 18 months.

"This means a hell of a lot to the club. Playing under floodlights will make us seem like a proper club and the players deserve nothing less."

Pewsey Vale chairman Rob Thompson has been working on the project for five years, and he is absolutely delighted to see all his efforts finally come to fruition.

"This project is an accumulation of many years' work, started by previous chairmen Doug Flippance and Mike Britten," says Thompson.

"This last season has been unbelievable. Now we can get on with the hard work during the close season and look forward to 2002/2003 with great confidence."