PADIHAM today moved a step nearer their goal of a return to the First North Western Trains League after their revamped Arbories stadium passed a weekend ground inspection.

The FNWTL's ground-grading committee gave the Storks the all-clear following an inspection yesterday.

And now Padiham's hopes of a place in the FNWTL next season rest with the league's member clubs who will vote on whether or not to allow them in at their AGM in June.

The go-ahead West Lancashire League outfit are one of three clubs who have applied to join the FNWTL before a new system of promotion and relegation is introduced next season.

Manchester League outfit Stand United and Staffordshire side Stone Dominoes have also applied for one of the four places currently up for grabs.

During the last 12 months, Padiham have spent £300, 000 on upgrading their facilities.

And now the Storks are within touching distance of returning to the semi-pro ranks after a 10-year absence.

"It's the start of a new millennium and, hopefully, this is a new start for Padiham Football Club," said Alan Smith, a member of the club's management committee.

"When we dropped out of the league 10 years ago after we failed to get a grading the club could easily have folded.

"But we've worked hard to get the ground back up to standard and now it's in the hands of the clubs to decide whether or not we return."

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