Ambitious Barnoldswick apply for promotion (From Craven Herald)

Ambitious Barnoldswick apply for promotion

10:12am Thursday 5th January 2012 in Sport

North West Counties league title chasers Barnoldswick Town have expressed their interest in climbing another level on the non-league pyramid.

They are among five Premier Division clubs to have submitted an application for promotion to the Evo-Stik League Championship rivals Bootle, Glossop North End, Ramsbottom United, Runcorn Linnets and Runcorn Town are the others.

This is only Barnoldswick’s third season in the North West Counties League but they have quickly established themselves as a force.

They currently lie third in the Premier Division three points behind leaders Bootle but with four games in hand.

Secretary Lynn James said: “We had to submit a declaration of interest to the Football Assoc iation by December 31.

“If we hadn’t have done that we wouldn’t have been considered for promotion even if we went on to win the league.

“With the team doing so well this season it was the right thing for us to do.”

She added: “The next step is for the Evo-Stik League’s ground grading committee to visit Victory Park. They will tell us what needs to be done and the timescale for any improvements.

“We won’t be doing any work until we know specifically what is needed for us to compete at the next level.

“That will guide our planning, and even if we don’t get promoted this year, it will enable us to have things in place for the future.”

Barnoldswick’s derby clash at Colne on Monday was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Town are due to be at home to Congleton on Saturday.