HARTLEY Wintney residents have been called upon by the village football team to help them achieve promotion this season.

During the 2015/16 season, Hartley Wintney FC strolled to the top of the table and a league title with 106 points and just four losses, however due to league rules, they were denied promotion from the Combined Counties Premier Division due to inadequate stadium facilities.

Club officials have now called on fans to help them make the required improvements, as another league title looms following a 21 point gap opening up at the top of the league.

League officials will grade facilities at the club on March 31, by which time the league leaders will need to have installed new turnstiles, new fencing on a hedge surrounding the pitch side, outside catering and toilet facilities as well as a new stand opposite the club house.

A number of the facilities can be temporary for the grading inspection as planning applications are processed by Hart District Council.

For the first phase of the upgrades the club estimates the work will cost in the region of £40,000 with 50 per cent coming from FA grants.

However, with £20,000 to raise as a result, club treasurer Colin Charlton has issued a call for help as they look to finally secure promotion.

Colin and his wife, Toni, are looking to get fundraising efforts moving and will both be taking part in a 50km walk in April.

The couple will walk non-stop from ‘The Row’s’ home ground to Chertsey Town FC to raise the funds for ground improvements. Their route will take them from Hartley Wintney along the Basingstoke Canal to its end in West Byfleet, then along the River Wey before finishing at Chertsey’s Alwyns Lane.

The couple, who are keen walkers and have taken part in 100km challenges, will set off at 2am in the hope of making it to Chertsey in time for the 3pm kick off.

Last month the club treasurer issued a statement asking for the help of fans to help the club reach their dream of promotion to the Southern Football League.

In his message Mr Charlton wrote: “The prospect of promotion is growing with every victory. There has been plenty going on behind the scenes to put us in a position to complete the required ground improvements, already there has been substantial financial outlay from the club to cover the cost of the planning application and purchase of new turnstiles.

“But this is only the start, there will be further costs to meet in order for us to achieve the necessary ground grading, and provide superb facilities going forward, not just for football but also the local community.”

Mr Charlton issued a final rallying cry ­­adding: “But to make this happen we need everyone connected with the club; sponsor, benefactor, committee member, club member, player, manager, coach, physio, supporter to all be pulling in the same direction.

“As the well-coined phrase says ‘every little helps’, so if you can help in anyway please step forward and speak to the chairman, the vice-chairman, the secretary or myself. The future of this great club is in our hands.”

To help the club with their push for promotion and to donate to Colin and his wife’s walk go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/colin-charlton.