AFC Wallingford chairman Lindsay Townsend is keeping his fingers crossed that the Football Foundation will give the club grant aid as they seek to join the Ryman League next season.

Wallingford's Dave Green rises above Wimbledon's Joe Sheron in last week's matchWallingford are riding high at the top of the Seagrave Haulage Combined Counties League Premier Division.

But they need to bring their ground up to Ryman League standards by April to be considered for promotion into Division 1.

Big matches, like the AFC Wimbledon clash last weekend, which made the club £8,500, plus cup runs, provide a good basis for the necessary improvements at the Hithercroft.

Townsend said: "We picked up around £9,000 from our FA Cup run this season, and with the money from the Wimbledon game, it's given us a good footing to work from.

"But the improvements we have planned for the ground are still very dependent on a grant from the Football Foundation (the maximum clubs can apply for is £100,000).

"Having said that, we are now in a position to start the improvements, as our main aim this season is to get promotion to the Ryman League."

With the restructuring of non-League football, the Combined Counties League is now a feeder division directly into Division 1 of the Ryman League, meaning Wallingford could be doing battle with the likes of Oxford City and Thame United next term.

Townsend explained: "I am hopeful that we can get the required number of seats in and improve the changing rooms.

"I'm also looking at the chance of putting a stand in behind one of the goals. We've applied to the Football Foundation, but it will take two or three months before we get a decision."

The Ryman League will inspect grounds in March, and their decision on suitable clubs will be made in April.