THE footpath through the Playing Field at Wellington, used by both the local football and cricket clubs, has been closed this week.

A team from local firm RW Gale Ltd are replacing the path on behalf of the football club. The footpath will be closed during the work.

The work is part of a programme of improvements to the club’s facilities following their decision not to move to a new ground.

Next up will see the installation of four corner-mounted floodlights which are replacing the previous eight pylons. The LED lights will be cheaper to run and will mean the club do not have to take down four of the poles every summer for cricket.

The final stage of the improvements will involve the installation of a new perimeter fence on three sides of the football pitch. Earlier this year, Wellington AFC also installed a new stand at the northern end of the ground. It holds 100 spectators and was completed towards the end of last season. It helped the club meet the FA Step 5 grading, required by the first team to play at their current level.

The club’s first team have already returned to action in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League but cannot play on the Playing Field until next month because it is being used by the cricket club.

It means that Wellington are having to play all their early season games on away grounds, a situation they have faced for a number of years. Despite this the side has played well, although results have not gone for them. They have lost two of their three league games by the odd goal - the other was drawn - and they put up a spirited display before losing to Bideford, a Southern League side, in the FA Cup.