THE committee at Crossgates Primrose plan to continue to improve facilities at Humbug Park – but attaining an SFA licence may be a longer-term aspiration.

In August, the club completed the purchase of a new hut, which will be refurbished to house a new snack bar, first aid room and disabled toilet facility, and have unveiled plans to construct a new covered terracing area at Humbug Park.

Since following Primrose into the East of Scotland League set-up, part of the senior pyramid that can lead to the SPFL, last season, local rivals Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell have both been successful in meeting strict licensing requirements to become full members of the SFA.

That allows them to participate in the William Hill Scottish Cup but, from this year, an additional requirement is the installation of floodlights.

“When we made the move initially that (become full SFA members) was certainly part of the reason,” chairman Frazer Martin said.

“That (floodlights) sort of puts things back for us. We’re looking at putting in some sort of covered terracing, hopefully during the course of this season. We need it; you can’t expect people to turn out on a winter’s day and it’s pouring down with rain.

“It’s only the real diehards that will do that.

“We’ll progress but, if we never get the SFA licence, we’ll certainly develop the ground as much as we can because all these things are important anyway without the licence.”

There is another route into the senior Scottish Cup through the Alex Jack Cup, in which Crossgates reached last season’s semi-finals, and in which Oakley United will contest this season’s final.

Kevin McArthur, who is part of the committee, said: “The SFA licence has got to be our target but that might take us five years to do. We’re having to do a lot of fundraisers and go out and ask people for sponsorship.” McArthur, meanwhile, added the club was thankful and appreciative of sponsorship it has received throughout the village.