Football club passes ground grading inspection

Ipswich Wanderers Football Club won promotion last season but were required to make improvements to their ground

A football club that was required to improve its ground following promotion has passed its mandatory grading inspection.

Ipswich Wanderers won promotion to step four of the football pyramid last season but the club have been battling on and off the pitch to retain their status this campaign.

From installing turnstiles to adding new toilets, the club's chairman Stephen Boyle previously said it was a task "harder than winning a league title".

The club has now said it is "delighted" to have passed its inspection.

"IWFC will be playing step 4 football again next season," a post from the club on X said.

"A massive thank you to all the companies, sponsors and volunteers who've helped make this possible, especially Joe at GBS."

Ground grading is mandatory on a three-year cycle at all football grounds in the league pyramid.

Promotion and all upward moves are subject to it.

As part of the improvements made at the SEH Sports Ground on Humber Doucy Lane, the Isthmian League North Division side added an extension to the away changing room and built a new toilet block.

A medical room was also built along with double turnstiles and additional seating, which was put in place under cover.

The club had a deadline of 31 March to meet the ground grading deadline and work had been ongoing since the start of the year.