POOLE Town are set to receive the green light to keep their place in National League South.

The Dorset club’s step two status was in jeopardy due to issues surrounding their Tatnam headquarters, writes Neil Perrett.

They were facing the prospect of being demoted back to the Southern League unless they could find £70,000 to get the ground up to scratch by the end of this month.

The newly-named Black Gold Stadium was today inspected by officials from the Football Association and they look likely to recommend it for a category B grading.

Poole have had to carry out extensive improvements to the venue, including installing low-level terracing, re-positioning a floodlight and putting in extra turnstiles.

The total cost of the project is around £170,000 with no facility for the club to receive a grant from the Football Foundation as it only has eight years left on its lease and there has to be a minimum of ten.

Poole, currently fifth in National League South, still have one major hurdle to overcome should they reach the play-offs for promotion to the National League – just one division from the Football League.

According to National League requirements, to qualify for promotion and to participate in the play-offs, clubs must achieve a category B grading and have 500 seats under cover by the March 31 deadline.

However, while this could be a stumbling block as Poole do not have the required number of seats under cover, it is believed this regulation is over and above FA ground-grading rules. Should Poole fall foul of this, it is understood they would appeal.

In 2011, Eastwood Town finished fourth in Conference North but were denied a play-off place as their 500 seats were in three stands and their spot went to Nuneaton, the next team below.

Founded in 1890, Poole have been blighted by ground problems ever since being kicked out of Poole Stadium – their home for 61 years – in 1994.

They have faced a constant battle to find a new stadium despite putting the town on the map by climbing from the Hampshire League to the National League in the space of 13 years.

Poole moved to their current base on a school playing field at Tatnam in 2005 after ground-sharing with Hamworthy United and Holt United following their departure from Wimborne Road.

Poole are encouraging supporters to turn out in their numbers for the visit of Concord Rangers on Saturday with the clash designated as a Pay What You Want match – when spectators can pay as much, or as little, as they want to watch.

The club is also showing Saints' Premier League clash with AFC Bournemouth (5.30pm), which is being broadcast by BT Sport, at the ground.