Bottesford Town have been awarded ?10,240 by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), supporters of the Football Foundation, and the largest funder of non-league football in the country.

The funding represents 50% towards the replacement of outdated floodlights and associated switch and control gear.

The previous floodlights, incorporating second hand equipment, were installed in 1995 and, due to their condition, despite regular maintenance, struggled to meet the required level of illumination (average 120 lux) without the replacement of a significant number of light fittings.

The new floodlight installation meets the ground grading criteria for playing football at Step 2 of the Football Pyramid (average 180 lux).

Over ?90m has already been invested by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund since its launch in July 2000, funding lower league ground improvements throughout professional and amateur game, creating a safe and modern environment for fans and players to enjoy the game.

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and Football Foundation, said: "On behalf of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, I am delighted to be able to award this grant to Bottesford Town FC.

"A vibrant community team is vital for the future of football.

"The Football Stadia Improvement Fund's aim is to revolutionise funding for the grass roots in the same way the professional game has been transformed over the last ten years.

"I pay a particular tribute to the hard work and dedication all at the club for making this funding a reality."

Tony Reeve, Chairman of Bottesford Town FC, said: "On behalf of Bottesford Town FC, I extend our thanks to both the Football Foundation and the North Lincolnshire Council for their continual support of the Club, and also the FA National Sports Centre Trust for their generous contribution to the project.

"We now look forward to the next phase of the ongoing developments at the Club which will hopefully see the fruition of two years of planning and preparation by members of the Club Management team for a Multi-Purpose Changing Room Development which will be for the use of all who play their sport at Birch Park, the home of Bottesford Town Football Club."

A game is to be arranged in the New Year with a professional Football Club to mark the official switching-on of the lights.