Hanwood United are hopeful of receiving the green light to make the step up to the West Midland Football League later this month – after rotating their pitch to meet the required criteria.
The ambitious villagers unanimously voted in favour of pressing ahead to make the step up in class after being crowned County League champions for a third successive season last month.
And now they hope their application to join the West Midland League division two and embark on a new chapter in the club’s history will shortly be rubber-stamped.
League delegates, who have already made one visit to Hanwood’s ground, will return for a second inspection on Saturday, June 21 ahead of their AGM two nights later.
And Hanwood officials are confident they will be given the opportunity to follow in the successful footsteps of the likes of Shawbury United and Ellesmere Rangers who have all flourished at the higher level after gaining promotion from the County League.
“I think most of the people associated with the club wanted a change and it was an overwhelming vote in favour of going into the West Midland League,” said Hanwood spokesman Arthur Evans.
“We’ve already had one visit from their delegates and have done a few alterations to the ground.
“We were told the pitch had to be lengthened so we’ve had to turn it round 90 degrees and it’s now back, ironically, to where it was about 30 years ago.
“We’ve got a few other modifications to do, but hopefully they will be satisfied with all the necessary arrangements we have put in place.”
If, as expected, Hanwood are welcomed into the West Midland League fold, they can expect plenty of travelling.
There are no other Shropshire clubs in division two following Wellington Amateurs’ promotion last season which means Hanwood’s shortest trip would be to the Wolverhampton area.
