SHOLING will be striving for long-term sustainability before contemplating another promotion from the Sydenhams Wessex League.

They took a big step in the right direction last week when Portswood-based company Universal Plumbing Supplies (UPS) were unveiled as new stadium sponsors.

And, with a first-team shirt sponsor and a fund-raising golf day in the pipeline, the Portsmouth Road outfit are plotting to make giant strides forward with the backing of the local business community.

Welcoming Jim Brady of UPS on board, team boss Dave Diaper said: “Jim’s a great guy and he’s buying into what we are trying to achieve at Sholing.

“When you don’t apply for promotion it looks like you lack ambition, but that’s not the case.

“But, when you do go up, you need to make sure you go up and stay up and we can only do that if we’ve got local businesses behind us.”

Sholing have twice ventured into the Southern League, only to come back down again, and Diaper – whose side finished Sydenhams Premier runners-up last term - wants to make sure that the next time it’s for keeps.

“It’s not just about going up, it’s about going up and sustaining it,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of things moving on the commercial front. We’ll shortly announce a new shirt sponsor and there’s a golf day coming up.”

Sholing’s inaugural golf day is booked for Friday, October 7, at Romsey Golf Club and it is proposed to make it an annual event.

There are spaces for 20 teams of four and the day will start with a 10.30am breakfast.

The golf, from 12 noon onwards, will be played in a stableford team and individual format (max handicap: 24 men and 36 ladies).

Later there will be a two-course meal followed by prize-giving.

The cost for a team of four is £200.

The event has been organised to raise club funds which will be distributed throughout Sholing’s adult and youth sections.

For more details and to book a place, please contact Ian Ritchie on 07768 588526 or at Ian.ritchie5@openworld.com An application form can be downloaded from the Sholing FC website.