TURTON FC are not going to leave anything to chance as they bid to get to the Premier Division of the West Lancashire League in 2016.

It is a fortnight since a panel of three FA officials upheld the verdict of league officials in denying the Thomason Fold side the chance to get promoted after they failed to meet a ground improvement deadline of March 31.

Turton finished in the runners-up spot in the league last year but chairman Peter Gray admits the club want to put it right this season.

He said: "We have to complete the building work no matter what the outcome was.

"I have spoken to the league about coming down here before a ball has been kicked to ensure we can go up and not have to go through this again.

"They have agreed to visit us in a few weeks and we will find out if we are up to standard."

The club have strengthened their ranks with ex-Wanderers player Mark Winstanley joining Neil Johnson and Neil Hart on the coaching team.

Gray said: "It is great to have Mark on board.

"He has been involved with the club for a few years and helped the Under-17s last season to the league title in the Bolton, Bury and District League.

"We are delighted with his professional input from playing for Wanderers and his son Dylan also plays for the first team."

Winstanley made 215 appearances for Wanderers and he was happy to take up the role on the coaching set-up.

He said: "I have been here for the past three years and I used to go up to the first-team games to watch my son.

"Then the chance opened up and I have known Neil Hart for a while and I am excited about working with Neil Johnson.

"What happened has happened and we want to put behind us and we may feel aggrieved and let down.

"Pete did everything to try to get us there but it is up to do everything to go up as champions."

Turton had received £87,000 worth of grants to improve their facilities during the close-season and but despite league officials being told that work would be completed in time for the new season it could all be in vain.

Club bosses argued they were in a 'catch-22' position whereby getting the work completed by March 31 this year would have meant moving heavy equipment across their pitches during the winter.

They would have then saw matches called-off due to damage to the playing-surface.

The club managed to attract some high-profile support during their campaign with the likes of ex-Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce posting a comment on an online petition.

Meanwhile, Bury boss Dave Flitcroft along with ex-Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Mike Pollitt getting behind the Division One club.

Turton also employed top football governance official Graham Bean who has represented the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Allardyce previously.

The club started pre-season last week in a bid to get ready for the new campaign.