Spalding United wants a stadium that can match its ambitions as it plots a rise up the football pyramid

Forward-thinking Spalding United believe the club could play at least two divisions higher in the football pyramid - but know they need the stadium facilities to match their ambitions.

The Tulips are the only unbeaten side in the top eight tiers of English football, a proud record they enhanced following Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Sutton Coldfield Town.

The result leaves Brett Whaley’s side two points behind leaders Stamford with a game in hand in the Northern Premier League Midlands.

However - as revealed by Coun Paul Redgate at South Holland District Council’s performance monitoring panel last week - the club could face possible demotion if the floodlights at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field are not upgraded.

“We feel Spalding can play at least two levels higher than it currently is - and we want to get there as quickly as possible,” explained Tulips CEO Leigh Porter.

“To do that we need to break even more records and have a facility that can pass a ground grading for those relevant leagues. That’s why we need the help of the council.

“The (unbeaten) record we have at the moment is an indication that changes are happening.

“We still haven’t achieved any of our objectives - improving the ground and facilities to a certain standard, and also to get promotion.”

The stadium is currently under the stewardship of South Holland District Council and rented by the Tulips and Pinchbeck United on a game-by-game basis.

However, without a lease, these clubs cannot access grant funding for stadium improvements, or carry out work of their own.

“We understand the Sir Halley Stewart is an amazing facility, a historical facility,” Mr Porter added.

“It’s a beautiful facility and we want the council to put the onus back on us and to demand we help them.

“We want to work with them on a joint programme to make it one of the best facilities in the area.

“Hiring the facility on a game-by-game basis means we’re not entitled to any grants or help.

“We need longer term commitment to enable grants be applied for and facilities installed. There is so much out there we can apply for. tied in to specific community projects.”

United’s predicament is one which the club feels has to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Mr Porter added: “I think the current standard of the ground, and that includes the floodlights, would be inadequate if we got promoted this year.

“We’ve got some huge issues coming up. Should we get promoted in the next four or five months we’re looking at some big issues with the ground that needs improving.

“They’re all achievable and there’s grants out there.

“We don’t want the council to have the burden of having to put new floodlights up.

“We’d be happy to extend the changing rooms, improve the referee’s facilities, the additional turnstile and additional seating as it’s a cost the council shouldn’t have to burden as there’s more essential projects for the council to spend their money on.

“What we’re saying is we want to help the council with that.”

Potential demotion could see United drop to step five in the National League System, the same level that neighbouring clubs such as Pinchbeck United and Deeping Rangers currently play at.

But the ambitious Tulips are looking in the opposite direction.

Mr Porter cited neighbours Peterborough Sports - who have risen from local leagues to the National League North, the second tier of non-league football - as an example of where the club wants to be heading.

Reaching that level would see Spalding playing at the same level as potential derby rivals Boston United and King’s Lynn Town.

“We’re the only unbeaten team in the country from the Premier League to step four - that’s 16 leagues,” Mr Porter said.

“We’re showing there’s potential. If we were rock bottom we’d say we understand why.

“I think we have the skills to put something together that has a strong possibility of being successful.

“The worry for us is the facilities can’t support that. We’re asking for the means to become self-sufficient with what we’re trying to do.

“We’re so ambitious and passionate about Spalding, the town, the football club, the junior section, the businesses, and every single person who comes through the door.”