LITTLE Oakley Football Club are preparing for a day of celebration.

The Acorns are officially unveiling their new ground improvements before tomorrow’s Thurlow Nunn League first division contest at home to March Town United.

It is the culmination of a two-year project made possible by a maximum £72,962 grant from the Premier League, through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).

It has enabled the club to make a number of improvements, including installing new floodlights, new boundary and pitch perimeter fencing, hard standing and two spectator stands, with the 50-seater stand (pictured) going up a few weeks ago as the final part of the work.

“This is the result of a two-year project and we’d like to thank the Football Foundation for their financial support, together with everyone who’s contributed to allow us to provide such excellent facilities,” said proud Oakley chairman Michael Good.

“We think it’s very fitting Gordon Carter will conduct the opening ceremony.

“Gordon is a local resident, a Little Oakley Memorial Club trustee and someone with close links to the club who has watched Oakley matches for many years.

“The official opening coincides with the final home league match of our inaugural season at step six level and we’re holding a buffet lunch for sponsors, advertisers and supporters, as a thank you for their support.

“Our plans for next season are already well advanced and we’re excited to have been accepted into the Thurlow Nunn Youth League.

“We’re also very pleased that Trevor Lewis has agreed to join Mike Carran and Rob McDonald as the management group for this under-18 team.

“The side will form a vital part of the development structure within the club.”

The improvements were undertaken to ensure Oakley meet the grade G requirements of the FA national ground grading criteria, allowing them to be promoted to step six (from the Essex and Suffolk Border League).

Meanwhile, Oakley made the seven-hour, 210-mile round trip to Wisbech St Mary on Saturday – only for the match to be called off due to a waterlogged pitch shortly before kick-off. “One part of the pitch was dangerous and unplayable and it was clear when we arrived that we wouldn’t be able to play as players’ boots disappeared into the very soft mud within seconds,” he said.

“Wisbech didn’t inspect the pitch until 12.30pm and only spent an hour on it until the referee arrived at about the same time as us.

“It was then called off within ten minutes of the ref arriving at 1.45pm.

“Apparently as it hadn’t rained for two days, no-one bothered to have a look beforehand.

“Although we were not offered food and drink at the time, Wisbech have now apologised and agreed to reimburse the majority of our costs.

“They have also agreed that the match will not be replayed.

“Although frustrated by the postponement, we had a bit of a party on the coach coming back to make up for it.”

Oakley, who lost 4-0 at AFC Sudbury Reserves on Tuesday, are away to Team Bury on Wednesday.