GETTING promoted to the South West Peninsula League Premier Division is paramount to Helston Athletic both on and off the pitch – according to boss Sid Taylor.

The Kellaway Park outfit have applied to the league’s board to move into the top division should they top West table at the end of the season.

Alongside the Blues, other clubs who have said they would like to move into the Premier Division are St Dennis and Sticker, both of whom are with Helston in the top three spots of the table.

Mid-table side Liskeard Athletic have also applied.

As reported in the Packet on November 26, Athletic are also hoping to receive grant funding in the region of £90,000 to refurbish parts of their home ground, including installing floodlights and a grandstand with 100 seats.

The plans have been put together to help the ground meet ground criteria standards for the SWPL Premier and much of the funding being granted is dependent on Athletic earning promotion.

With this in mind, Taylor said it really is crucial for the club to reach the league’s top flight.

Taylor said: “Promotion for us at Helston is very important, not just for morale but also for what direction we are looking to take the club and the ground in.

“Our grant applications for the work we want to do at the ground do rely on us getting promoted.

“It is important for the club to keep moving forward, because if we stood still and stayed in the West Division, then other teams would eventually go ahead of us and what’s the point of that?

“All of this is a big reason I have stayed at Helston, because it is a club with ambition.

“I have had offers from other teams to come and manage them, but because of what we’re looking to do at Helston I have stayed and hopefully now we can get up in the Premier Division.”

After Saturday’s clash at St Dennis, all five of Athletic’s next league games will be at home, which is something Taylor believes will be a big advantage for them.

“The next six games could well be the deciding point of the season for us,” he said.

“It is rare that you get five home games on the bounce and for us it has come at a crucial time of the year.

“If we make the most of it, then we will be in a great position going into the final few games of the season.”

Another factor the Blues boss believes will be important for their promotion push is the support they have been getting.

A strong contingent of supporters went up to watch Athletic beat Bude Town 3-2 on Saturday and a bus is being put on for any fan who wants to watch the St Dennis match.

The transport leaves Kellaway Park at 1pm and Taylor has encouraged anyone interested in going to pop along.

“It is always great to get any sort of support,” he said.

“This season has been great and when the players see there are people cheering them on, they do put more effort in on the pitch.

“It is a chance for the town to show their support to the club as well.

“If we can achieve promotion into the Premier Division, it would make the support we’ve been getting even sweeter.”