WELLING FC secretary Barrie Hobbins has admitted the club will have to raise at least £20,000 to fund their new floodlights.

The Wings, who have been without lights since December due to storm damage, are waiting to hear the size of their grant from the Football Foundation.

But any payment is only likely to be up to 50 per cent of the estimated £40-50,000 cost.

That means the Wings need to raise the rest of the money themselves and Hobbins praised the efforts of those who have already dug deep for the club.

"We are very grateful for all the support we have received," said Hobbins. "Everyone is pulling in the same direction and it's been a fantastic response so far."

An online Welling Wall at the club’s website and car stickers organised by the club’s youth section are expected to raise £5,000. That figure should be matched by donations from supporters while a Charity Auction has been arranged for March 23 at Sidcup Rugby Club, where items ranging from a signed George Best shirt to a laptop plus the chance to be Welling’s assistant manager for the day will be auctioned off.

In a bid to increase cashflow, the Wings have also frozen season-ticket prices for next season if supporters renew their tickets before the end of the season.

In the meantime, the Wings will play their midweek home league games at either Dartford or Gravesend, although Hobbins admitted it is a big drain on the club’s resources.

"Our matchday profit is halved when we are not playing at home and while we are grateful to the clubs for helping us out, it does cost more than £1,000 to play at other grounds."