Open Meeting

The 50 or so people who turned up at the Sarum Suite to quiz general manager Nick Holmes and the club's four directors, Neville Beal, Stuart McGlashan, Paul Orsborn and Peter Yeldon were largely concerned, not with the current state of the club, but with what plans are afoot for the Whites' next promotion.

With the team currently sitting pretty joint top of the Conference South, a number of fans were preoccupied with how the club - and the infrastructure of its stadium - would cope should the players continue to excell themselves and secure promotion at the first time of asking.

Among the issues raised were ground improvements, better access to the bar and refreshment huts, the potential to introduce crowd segregation, and the ability of the club's local sponsors to keep up with the rising profile of the club.

On every count, supporters were reassured that the directors' ambitions are more than keeping pace with the players' achievements.

Peter Yeldon presented an overview of the club's finances and circulated a copy of the accounts, which showed the club in good financial health and remarked that, as all four directors are "fanatical Salisbury City supporters," fans could be sure that everything would be done in the best long-term interests of the club.

"Ridiculous rumours have been circulating that we were paying huge wage bills and the directors were spending the club into the ground," said Yeldon.

"The accounts demonstrate that that is nonsense. All four of us directors are Salisbury City fanatics and would never do anything to wreck the club.

"All we want to do is strengthen Salisbury City for the long term and hopefully, win as many trophies as possible along the way."

A recent ground inspection at the club revealed the need for minor upgrading, including new floodlights and changes to the seating to meet Conference requirements.

The deadline for any such work to be completed in order for promotion to be permitted is next April.

After the manager reiterated his comments that the club is on course to realise his stated ambition of reaching the Football League, the directors said that the necessary ground improvements would be looked at and, most likely commenced, in December or January, regardless of the team's position at that point.

Holmes said: "My plan has always been to get Salisbury to the Football League in as long as it takes.

"We are moving towards that goal and that remains my aim. We're not ready for it now but we all believe that it's within our grasp."

Other issues raised on the night included car parking, signage to the ground, the vagaries of the fixture list and the possibility of on-site betting.