MORE than 450 people have signed up to a petition urging West Lancashire League officials to allow Turton FC to be promoted to the Premier Division.

The Bolton News reported yesterday how Thomasson Fold bosses were rocked by the league's decision to deny them promotion because they failed to meet a ground improvement deadline.

League chiefs decided only one team (Fulwood Amateurs) would be promoted to the top flight instead of two and no teams would be relegated from the Premier Division.

It comes after West Lancashire League sides were told at their annual general meeting last June that improvements to grounds had to be completed by March 31 this year.

But Turton chairman Peter Gray insists they could not do ground developments, which include toilets and female changing facilities, during the season as heavy machinery driving across the pitches would have seen games called off.

Gray has been impressed by the response by the community to Turton's plight.

He said: "It seems to have gathered pace and we have had positive comments from people all across the country.

"There have been so many signatures and comments and it is reflected by positive support behind us.

"We hope we can carry on momentum and all we want the league to do is take a look at our ground improvements before their AGM in July.

"We should be done by the end of June and if they say we still have not met the ground grading then fine we will stay in Division One and accept the decision.

"It is great teams from different leagues are supporting us but unfortunately the people we need to back us – the league – are not yet."

Turton were outraged as Hesketh Bank were allowed promotion to the top flight last year and able to get ground improvements completed by the start of the season.

All Gray wants is 'common sense to prevail' to give Turton the chance to get work completed by the end of June.

John Brown, general secretary of the West Lancashire Football League, speaking to The Bolton News about the decision, said: "The management committee meeting at the end of the season said that under the national league system clubs going into our Premier Division must have Step 7 graded by March 31.

"Turton are not in that position so our position is that they would not be promoted.

"Hesketh Bank's improvements were only cosmetic.

"It was stated in the grounds chairman report that the deadline was March 31 and we would not be extending that date for any reason and all clubs must abide by it."

  • To sign the petition, go here.