The future of Saffron Walden Town Football Club is now much brighter after floodlight improvement work was completed to erase the risk of the team being demoted two divisions.

The Bloods’ stay in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division was thrown into doubt when the club failed a floodlight inspection in February and they were warned a failure to improve them by the end of March could lead to demotion.

An appeal was launched to raise around £7,000 to fund the improvement work – which involved changing each of the 16 bulbs in each floodlight – and the club organised a ‘pay what you want’ policy on the gate for a home game against Kirkley and Pakefield.

Club secretary Jonathan Scripps said last month he had been “moved by the generosity of people” who had come forward to help following the news of the Bloods’ plight.

The club managed to raise all the money required to improve the lights and Saffron Walden Town under 18s played their first match under the new floodlights on Thursday (March 30).

This means the Bloods can continue to ply their trade at Step 5, although a possible move to the Essex Senior League next season could be on the cards.

An application to submit an application to the Essex-only league was agreed unanimously by the club’s board last month.

Mr Scripps said: “I would like to thank everyone who donated to the floodlight appeal.

“We raised enough money to cover the costs for the job and we shall be staying in Step 5 football, whether it’s in the Thurlow Nunn League or the Essex Senior League – I know the future will remaining bright for the Bloods.”

Meanwhile, the club has announced the funeral of club president Paul Daw will take place on Monday, April 10, at the Allsaints Church in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire.

Paul, who was described as a “true gentleman” by club captain Spike Bell, died on March 25 in the Lake District following a lengthy illness.

He had been associated with Saffron Walden Town for over 50 years both as a player and an official and was club secretary for many years.

Paul’s testimonial attracted a 350-strong crowd to Catons Lane in February, raising £4,000 for the club, and a stand, named in his honour, was unveiled.