On-the-up football club hope to score with improvements to Mansfield Woodhouse ground

Sherwood Colliery were crowned champions of the United Counties League, Premier Division North last season and now play at the highest level in their history, just four levels below the Football League itself.

But they must carry out improvements at their home ground at the Debdale Sports and Recreational Club in Mansfield Woodhouse to meet the grading standards.

A project to install a high-quality 3G artificial pitch is already under way and should be completed next month. But now the club have submitted a planning application to Mansfield District Council to boost facilities for spectators.

Sherwood, nicknamed The Wood, want to extend one of their covered stands to accommodate an extra 50 seats and take the total to 100.

Also part of the scheme is the construction of a concrete base to build a new, permanent or Portakabin-type male and female toilet block and also a new turnstile.

In the application, commercial manager Phil Kirkland says: “We are required to make improvements to retain our status in Division One East of the Northern Premier League (NPL).

“The work to the stand needs painted blockwork, timber seating, a galvanised steel roofing sheet, a painted timber fence, painted steel posts and brickwork risers.

"The male toilet would have one WC, two urinals and a wash basin, while the female toilets would have two WCs and one wash basin.

"We are in the process of applying for funding through the Premier League Stadium Fund in conjunction with the Football Foundation. But we have been advised that we need planning permission first.”

While the 3G pitch is being installed, The Wood are playing their home games at Rainworth Miners Welfare. But they have still made a solid start to their debut season in the NPL and sit tenth in the table.

Debdale Park, as it is better known, also includes a multi-use games area, cricket pitch and other grassed football pitches, with a pavilion and car park.

Other planning applications received by Mansfield Council include these:

15 Merlin Road, Mansfield Woodhouse – single-storey side extension.

219 Eakring Road, Mansfield – two-storey side extension.

22 Kaye Road, Mansfield – detached garage.

2 New Park Lane, Mansfield – single-storey rear extension (retrospective application).