A LOCAL grassroots football club who are dreaming of competing in the FA Cup are seeking planning permission to improve the facilities at their ground.
Dodworth Miners’ Welfare’s senior team are currently competing in the Sheffield County Senior League step seven of the football pyramid and are only one league away from being able to compete in the oldest national football competition in the world.
However, if they are to make that step up they must improve the facilities at their ground on High Street.
Subsequently, they’ve submitted a planning application to install floodlights around the pitch.
A report states: “As with many similar organisations Dodworth Miners’ Welfare has faced significant challenges since the decline of the mining industry in the 1980s with membership dwindling and use of the welfare facilities declining significantly.
“Since the early 2000s involvement in both rugby and cricket has declined and these sports are no longer placed on the welfare grounds.
“The brass band, boxing and bowling activities have remained constant in their popularity over this time period.
“Whilst grassroots football and rugby continue to be the fundamental part of the Miners’ Welfare sporting activities, the football senior team have recently reached the required level to step up to semi-professional level.
“The senior team are currently competing in the Sheffield County Senior League and are only one league away from being able to compete in the FA Cup.
“Once the club has installed floodlights, they will be able to enter the FA vase and apply for promotion to NCEL divisions.
“Floodlights are therefore required to be eligible for promotion, and to be able to offer more training sessions, evening games and community engagement at the club’s own facility.”
A total of 61 neighbouring properties have been made aware of the plans with no appeals to date.
Public consultation ends on May 24.
