Blues ask council for help in bid to move up divisions

And the council is also to consider a request for a contribution to the 40,000 cost.

The club is riding high at the top of the Sussex County League at the moment.

But it could find itself in the distressing position of being top of the league and not winning promotion to the new Rymans Division 1 (South) unless it gets its improvements in place by April.

That would seem to be an impossible task.

The main improvements needed are:

The stand to be increased to a minimum of 150 seats.

Emergency lighting to the pitch perimeter in case floodlights fail at an evening match.

Two pay entrances with turnstiles.

Bigger dugouts to accommodate a minimum of eight people.

External toilets as the clubhouse toilets are not acceptable.'

Said chairman Richard Soan: 'We are looking to the parish council to support our scheme in planning terms.

'We would also be very grateful for any amount of grant towards the project.

'We are up against it in terms of being ready in time, should we get promoted, but there is always a chance.

'It would be so disappointing to finish top and not get promotion.'

Even if Ringmer does not get promoted, long term it will still need to get the work done to satisfy proposed new County League standards.

Parish clerk Nick Hall confirmed that the council will decide whether or not to support the club at its next meeting on March 9.

It seems doubtful whether manager John Crumplin would remain at the club next season if Ringmer fail to gain promotion.

Crumplin has been openly critical of County League administration, fixture lists and players's attitudes this season and has set his target on managing in the Ryman next term.

Crumplin said: 'We were pretty awful in the 1-1 draw with Wick on Saturday but they did only have one shot on goal. They came to do a job and did it.

'We were missing Darren Tidey, and Gavin Jones phoned in ill on the morning of the game.'

'We face Sidley, Rye & Iden and Eastbourne United in the next few games and these are matches we need to win as then we have some tough games coming up.

'In my book the title is far from won and we need to step up on our performances.'

Chris Dicker is not available and Matt Beeston is injured for tomorrow's visit to Sidley.