Northallerton are one of hundreds of clubs who have been told to remove all solid pitchside barriers following the tragic death of Chichester City’s Billy Vigar last season. The former Arsenal academy player suffered a significant brain injury when he hit his head on a concrete barrier.

For Town, it will mean replacing all concrete and breeze-block barriers surrounding the pitch with safety-compliant fencing. The dug-outs will also be replaced and the floodlight pylons padded.

Although FA grants will cover much of the cost, the Club will still have to make up a significant shortfall in funding for the work, which is due to start in the autumn.

Club chairman Jason Bleanch says: “This is one of the biggest ground improvement programmes in Northallerton Town’s history. We recognise the need to keep players and spectators safe and we aim to carry out this work sooner rather than later.

“It will transform the look of the stadium and we are looking for gaps in the fixture schedule where the improvements can take place. We’re still costing the project and it’s quite likely we will be launching an appeal to help finance it.”

FA inspectors visited the Calvert Stadium and provided a detailed report outlining required upgrades.