RINGWOOD Town faces a vote to decide whether or not they will be kicked out of the Sydenhams Wessex League having failed their ground grading.

The Long Lane outfit missed the March 31 deadline to ensure their facilities came up to scratch with chairman Phil King confident work will be complete by the end of June.

King said the lengthy process of seeking £2,500 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) had delayed the required upgrade of the club’s pay kiosk, walkway for players and officials, hardstanding behind one goal and validation of their floodlights.

Ringwood, the only Wessex outfit to fail their inspection, have been included in the provisional Division One line-up for next season but league chairman Ian Hoare confirmed it would need a majority of other 42 members to sanction their status at the league’s AGM in June.

Should they lose the vote, being carried out under instruction from the Football Association, Ringwood would be relegated.

“They are all relatively small tasks that we plan to complete by the end of June and we are on target to do that,” said King.

“We’re confident that the clubs will look kindly on us and what we have done for the league for so many years.

“It is unfortunate timing but I am quietly confident that come the Wessex AGM, we will have the jobs done and we can secure a favourable vote.”

Clubs at Ringwood’s level can apply to the FSIF for up to 70 per cent of the cost of work.

“These things are very often small tasks but for grassroots football clubs, it costs money that is difficult to find,” King added.

“The FA does set aside money to help clubs fulfil these tasks and we are still seeking help. The application has been approved but we have to provide more quotations for the work as part of the due process.

“Should the funds not come through for any reason, the money would be sourced from elsewhere. We are not relying on that to complete the work.

“The process takes a long time and that is why the work hasn’t been done.

“With funds there to be sourced, that is how we would want to finance the work but if for any reason that breaks down – and there is no reason why it should – we would find a way to pay for it.”