DIDCOT Town FC have been told they will be relegated unless they spend tens of thousands of pounds on extra seats they claim they do not need.

The Football Association have informed the Railwaymen that if they want to stay in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division, they must increase the stadium’s number of seats and covered areas by March.

The npower Loop Meadow Stadium provides seats for 155 fans and shelter for 100 more.

But the FA insist that to stay in the top flight of the league, they must provide cover for 500 supporters to include 250 seats.

Home and away fans must be segregated with separate facilities and emergency lighting needs to be installed in case the floodlights fail.

The club faces a bill of up to £80,000 to build a new stand behind the south goal that will hardly ever be filled.

Club chairman John Bailey, 58, said: “The trouble is that we have to have these all in place by March – otherwise we get relegated. It's just a nightmare.

“At the end of the day, we’re getting 300 people here every Saturday, which we can accommodate. The only problem is people get a little bit wet when it rains.

“The club haven’t got anything to spend.

“We just don’t get any help from anywhere, but people think because we’re in football, we’re rolling in money.”

The club have to apply for a grant from the Premiership-funded Football Foundation, who will only pay for 40 per cent of the work.

Bailey said: “We’ll find the cash somewhere or other. We’re determined to get it, even if we have to beg, borrow or steal.”