Ilkeston Town

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Ilkeston ordered to bring facilities in line

The Football Association have told Ilkeston Town to bring their New Manor Ground to professional standards if they want to stay in Blue Square North.

The deadline to complete upgrades on floodlights, dressing rooms and medical facilities was initially March 31, but club secretary Keith Burnand has sent a written request to the FA to get it extended.

"They (the FA) have agreed to extend that date until May 31st and I've asked if they will consider that date for the floodlights, too," Burnand told This Is Derbyshire.

The Robins are required to install brighter floodlights, increase the size of the changing rooms and provide a physiotherapy couch in the away changing room, but are finding it difficult to get the job done in the middle of the season.

Burnand added: "Chesterfield have kindly agreed to let us have their lights when they move to their new stadium, saving us about £12,000, but we obviously can't install them until they've played their final game at Saltergate.

"They have asked us to get a letter from the Chesterfield chairman and we're hopeful that the FA will give us special dispensation on this too."