TIGERS CAN REST IN A NEW HOME

NON-LEAGUE clubs have grounds for optimism as the Football Association’s March 31 deadline looms to get their houses in order.

Truro City fans were fearing for the club’s future on Thursday after chairman Peter Masters revealed their long-term stadium project was dead in the water.

Developers had informed the White Tigers that the Silver Bow plan was no longer viable and that grim update placed the club’s existence into doubt.

But there was better news on Friday for the fans, who will be watching their club at Treyew Road for the final time next month.

With the land sold to a supermarket chain, they will instead play at Bodmin Town subject to National League and FA ratification.

That distance of 26 miles each way was much preferred to the 180-mile trot to Torquay United’s Plainmoor home, where they were heavily touted to play.

“The club have agreed a mechanism in principle with Bodmin Town and the National League to ground share at Priory Park for next season,” a club statement confirmed.

“To facilitate the move, Truro City will improve the facilities at Priory Park and upgrade the ground from its existing Grade G to Grade B to accommodate National League South requirements. The improvements to Bodmin Town will take place during the close season subject to final agreement between all parties.”

Barrow were facing problems, but the good news for the club’s fans is that Holker Street’s capacity has been raised enough to allow them to compete in the National League play-offs – and then in League Two – should they qualify.

“We can confirm that following an assessment this week the certified capacity of the Furness Building Society Stadium has been increased beyond the 5,000 that is necessary to qualify for promotion to the Football League,” the club confirmed.

Meanwhile, Southern League Dorchester Town took a step towards installing a 3G pitch this week, gaining a council pledge of nearly 50 per cent for the cost of installing the all-weather surface.

The Dorset club will now press ahead with plans to raise an additional £252,000 to transform The Avenue and join the likes of Tamworth, Harrogate, Slough Town, Sutton United, Hyde and Eastbourne Borough in ripping up their grass pitch.