PLANS to build a new 138-seat spectator stand at Caldicot Town AFC’s ground will help to boost the profile of the club, according to club officials.

The Welsh League side need to expand to comply with new regulations set by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

In order to play Tier 2 football, to which Caldicot Town play, new criteria states that a formal licence is required to meet the requirements.

All clubs looking to continue playing within Tier 2 are expected to fulfil all requirements - including the provision of 250-seated grandstands - before April 2018.

The proposals put forward by Caldicot Town, which already has a grandstand in place, include seats for three disabled spectators alongside the football pitch on King George V playing fields.

Despite the club’s Welsh League Division One side being relegated this season, secretary Steve Bright believes that the plans, pending approval, would coincide with future successes.

He said: “As a club we intend to be pushing for promotion back up into Division One and the club will be undergoing several changes to help in that.

“We’ve got a young, talented team and as long we stick together we will build and progress.

“The improvements will also benefit our women’s side, which were promoted to the Welsh Premier League this season, so it’s an exciting time of change

for all of us.”

Planning documents show that the new tip-up seated stand would be placed on the opposite side of the existing stand. Planning approval was finalised by Caldicot Town Council last month and the application is set to appear before Monmouthshire County Council planning chiefs within the next few months.

Currently, Caldicot AFC is the primary host club for several cup finals within the East Gwent area, including the Gill Cup and Fishwick Cup.

Chairman Wayne Jones said that having this benefits not just Caldicot but other outlying areas and is keen for the tradition to continue.

“It’s exciting times for the club, we’re really keen to continue to improve our facilities and to maintain our standard as the host club for the East Gwent finals,” he said.

“With the new stand we’re hoping to get more families involved with watching or getting involved at the club and to offer them more comfort while watching the games.”

Mr Jones also stated that if plans for the stand are approved, there will be sponsorship space opportunities for local businesses.