CARLTON’S CAPACITY CAN NOW BE INCREASED TO 1,968 SAYS REPORT AHEAD OF MARKET DRAYTON CLASH.

Carlton Town have today received their ground capacity grading report and have been told that their ground can currently hold an attendance of just under 2,000.

With the addition of a further turnstile and changes to one of the exit gates, this could be increased to 2,269 said the report carried out by the highly respected sports ground health and safety officer John Rutherford.

Rutherford and a colleague spent time at the Bill Stokeld Stadium last week checking turnstiles, Fire exits, signage, the PA System, measuring areas around the stadium and checking on the club’s evacuation procedure, among other things if there was a fire for example.

The excellent amount of space around the Clubhouse and behind the dugouts certainly worked in the club’s favour in terms of assessing the current capacity, which previously stood at 1,500, but was carried out many years ago.

To play Bet Victor Premiership football the club needs a capacity of 1,950 so providing the report is accepted by the League’s ground grading committee, it will be one hurdle overcome for the Millers if they achieve Premier League football at sometime in the future.

Carlton have never attracted a gate of over 1,000 to date, with the highest attendance being a pre season friendly against Notts County when over 800 packed into the Bill Stokeld Stadium, but who knows what the future holds.

One thing is for sure and that is that they will be well short of that number when they take on Market Drayton on Tuesday night, but Joint Managers Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks are hoping more fans will start to come to the party, given the quality of football now being offered up.

Last Tuesdays home draw to Chasetown and Saturday’s narrow defeat at Leek certainly provided supporters with value for money and the dynamic duo will be hoping for more entertainment from their players this week and hopefully this time a win .

Admission is £9 Adults, £7 concessions and £3 kids and the kick off is at 7.45pm.