Chelmsford City will probably miss out on promotion from the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League this season.

But at least they are assured that their 'shared ground' with Billericay Town now meets the required 'A' grading for premier division football.

The New Lodge ground was inspected by Ken Turner, a member of the League's management committee, on Sunday and he gave approval for the grading which was refused two years ago when City finished second and would have been promoted.

"It's great news for the club and even if we don't make promotion this season, which now looks highly improbable, we know that we can go flat out for it next season and do the business on the park and we will not be refused this time around," said a delighted City manager, Gary Bellamy.

City fans though have to thank Bellamy himself for seeing the ground passed the necessary 'A' grading.

This is because over the past few weeks, he has been the mainstay in ensuring the needed remedial work, which included moving 200 seats from behind one goal to be installed alongside the side behind the trainers' dugouts, was organised and completed.

Although he planned and prepared the ground work for contractors to move in and complete some of the work it was Bellamy, assisted by a couple of work experience lads, who did much of the hard graft to ensure everything was completed for the inspection.

If City fail to move to their new stadium in time for next year's inspection at this time then they are safe in the knowledge that Billericay Town's New Lodge ground will definitely be acceptable.

On the question of promotion this season, Bellamy said: "We will still carry on determined to win our remaining matches and take the points.

''Yes, it does look improbable now but football is a funny old game!"

Bellamy added: "We are already building for next season for which the groundwork for getting new players needed is being done, and I am pleased that players want to join the club''.

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