Weldon hope to get the go ahead to move up to the UCL

The Northants Combination Premier Division side have applied to make the step up.

They are currently making the necessary adjustments to their Rockingham Triangle ground and putting a financial structure in place in the hope they are given the green light to join the UCL.

Though beaten only twice this season, Jamie Gilsenan’s team are third in the Premier Division behind James King Blisworth and Harpole.

Treasurer Robert Burke describes the division as “very tough” and is confident Weldon can step up and compete in the UCL – if they get everything right behind the scenes.

The club are currently looking for a new chairman after Jimmy Darragh stood down because of work commitments recently.

Burke said: “We want to take the step up, but it’s a huge step up and we have to be ready.

“We have wanted to go up for a while, but there was no chance while we were at Occupation Road.

“This is our third season at Rockingham Triangle and the facilities are fantastic.

“Apart from Northampton Town and Corby Town, we have the best facilities in the county and we have secured a lease on the ground until 2054, so that gives us some stability.

“We are looking to put together a strong, forward thinking committee and are looking to get our finances sorted.

“There’s a lot to consider.

“We will have to pay officials more in the UCL and there are players’ travelling expenses as well.

“We don’t want to put the club at risk. We don’t want to go up, fall flat on our faces and get the club in trouble.

“Player-wise, we are good enough to go up. We won’t be cannon fodder with the team we’ve got.

“Players like Kevin Byrne, Sean Brennan and Paul Doherty were with S&L when they won the Premier Division and we took (Division One champions) Peterborough Sports to penalties in the cup earlier this season.

“We have a few jobs to do on the ground, work out the finances and see if we are accepted.”

Stewarts & Lloyds’ hopes of promotion from Division One this season were dealt a blow on Tuesday night as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Thrapston Town.

S&L are now four points behind second-placed ON Chenecks with one game in hand as they prepare to host Blackstones tomorrow (Saturday).

Thrapston, meanwhile, could do S&L a favour this weekend as they make the trip to take on Chenecks.

Aaron Campion scored the only goal of the game as Rushden & Higham United won 1-0 at Burton Park Wanderers in midweek.

The Lankies head to Lutterworth Athletic tomorrow while rock-bottom Burton host Olney Town.

Elsewhere, Irchester United entertain champions Peterborough Sports, Raunds Town travel to Buckingham Town and Whitworth, who claimed a 1-1 draw at Bugbrooke on Wednesday thanks to a late Perry Nimmo penalty, are also on the road at Oakham United.