LANGNEY Sports will take a step closer to the Dr Martens League on Sunday when their sparkling new facilities at Priory Lane are given the once over.

County League officials will carry out a ground inspection at Langney's home, rated one of the top non-League venues in Sussex.

And they are likely to advise their Dr Martens counterparts that only relatively minor improvements are needed before Sports can take their place in next season's eastern division. Langney need to finish first or second in the County League, meet stringent ground grading requirements and beat off bids from ambitious clubs in other feeder leagues if they are to step up.

Chairman Len Smith said: "It's virtually certain we will apply for the Dr Martens League.

"Once the county have reported to the Dr Martens League, we will have until April 1 to carry out any necessary work.

"We have not applied as yet but we have told the County League we are planning to do so."

Sports still need to install emergency lighting, enclose one end of their ground and put the finishing touches to their new stand, which will include an area for disabled fans.

Smith added: "It's not a horrendous amount of work but we haven't got much time and quite a lot of money will be involved.

"We're confident we can put our names in the hat, but what happens then depends on which other teams apply."

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