IT’S not just on the pitch that Whickham are trying to make giant strides. The Arngrove Northern League Division Two side are on the cusp of promotion after more than a decade outside the top flight. And they’re hoping to match the improvement on the field with much-needed work to their Glebe ground as well. Commercial manager Les Dixon revealed: “We had a meeting with the FA last Wednesday about the funding options available to us as we look to build a new changing room block on the site of the Portakabin and the cafe. “Although the funding available is less than we thought, at least we know what we’ve got to play with now, and we still believe this is something we can get sorted. “We’re also looking at a complete renovation of the main stand, including changing the existing toilet facilities into a new café area. “Two new covered standing areas either side of the dugouts are also in the planning stage, as we strive to make the Glebe a comfortable First Division standard ground, whether we make it this season or not, because taking this club forward on and off the pitch is our goal. “A training facility behind the scoreboard is also being suggested, and prices are being gathered on all our projects. We sincerely hope we can modernise the Glebe, ideally for the start of next season.” Whether that season will see First Division football at the Glebe remains to be seen, but Whickham have given themselves every chance as the run-in reaches a critical stage. It has been a successful couple of seasons for Whickham, as boss Tony Ainley has gradually built the club up. Having won the prestigious Durham Challenge Cup in 2006, and the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup last year, promotion was always the aim for Ainley and his assistant Terry Ritson and coach Tony Dowson. Off the field, the club’s committee is going from strength to strength, both in terms of ideas and numbers, and Whickham have added a junior set-up. Dixon added: “We hope to also have an application in pretty soon for a Club Charter Standard Award, and I’d like to thank Andrew Jones, our under-eights manager, for the work he’s put in on behalf of the whole club. “We believe it’s another sign to everyone inside and outside the football club that we are trying to do things the correct way.” | 
