A FOOTBALL club which has enjoyed a meteoric rise is racing to complete a raft of ground improvements to stave off relegation.

Stockton Town FC are going well in their first season in the Northern Premier League’s eastern division – sitting fourth in their chase for promotion. 

But The Anchors risk possible relegation from the eighth tier of English football if they don’t upgrade their ground with new seating.

Next week will see Stockton councillors decide on plans for two new stands to be erected  at the stadium off Bishopton Road West. 

The existing prefabricated stand is set to be moved further along the ground’s western side to make way for a six-tier 200-seater facility.

A covered stand for 120 people is also planned behind the goal at the ground’s southern end. 

Attendances at the MAP Group UK Stadium are the highest in the league – with an average crowd of 608 so far this season.

But council officials say the newly planned stands are not in response to these rising attendances, but to meet minimum ground quality standards set out by the FA.

The report added: “Failure to meet the required standards would result in the relegation of the club from the current division.”

Stockton Town have seen plenty of success on the pitch in the past decade. 

After moving from the Teesside League, their senior side won four Wearside League titles back to back between 2012 and 2016.

The club’s run in the FA Vase in 2017/18 saw a trip to Wembley and a narrow 1-0 loss in the final to Thatcham Town.

And the good times have continued – with the Anchors promoted from the Northern League’s top tier last season despite Covid interruptions. 

A letter submitted by the club’s committee explained how the side now played across the North of England – with the club growing to having almost 40 teams covering boys, girls, ladies and men. 

“Never in our wildest dreams did we ever imagine the success the club has achieved not only on the pitch but also across our wider community with the engagement of the people of the town,” it added.

Club officials said their facilities were a source of huge pride – with the new plans a consequence of some of the successes seen. 

The letter added: “This proposal is not about growing a stadium beyond the capabilities of the infrastructure around it, but simply providing the minimum standard of spectator accommodation.

“Failure of the club to provide these minimum facilities would lead to a forced relegation – a consequence that none of us would want. 

“If these proposals are accepted, it will not increase the crowds that attend our games, but simply afford them additional shelter from the winter weather – and allow our older generation of spectators to continue to attend as there will be seating available for them.”

Permission for the artificial playing surface and revamped stadium was granted in 2015. 

Six objections have been lodged to these latest plans with worries about crowd noise and drainage. 

One Chivers Court resident suggested the club was out-growing its facilities.

He added: “Isn’t it time for them to look for a larger and more suitable location fit for the club they hope to become?”

A 3.5m high acoustic fence has been lined up backing onto Chivers Court and Meridian Way – with planning officers recommending the new stands get the nod.

A decision will be made at Stockton planning committee next Wednesday. 

Ahead of the meeting, club chairman Martin Hillerby stressed the plans weren’t about increasing crowds, but offering further facilities for spectators.

“It’s what we’ve got to provide for football at that level – it’s not going to add 500 people to the crowd,” he said.

“The crowds are going to be determined by the success on the field.”

Fellow Teessiders Marske United sit top of the league at the moment – three points clear of Liversedge who have a game in hand. 

The Seasiders will host Lincoln United on Saturday while Stockton will travel to play-off rivals Cleethorpes.