IT HAS been a good week for Whitchurch Alport Football Club both on and off the pitch.

While Luke Goddard's men booked a trip to Coventry Sphinx in the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase, the club also had plenty of reason for cheer off the pitch.

The club has been successful in its application to be considered as an 'Investment Ready' club by the Shropshire Football Association.

A club spokesman said: "This is fantastic news for both the senior and junior sections of the club with funding for major projects together with administration assistance at all levels from Shropshire FA.

"This scheme will be a massive help in propelling the club forward and enabling us to offer more to the community of Whitchurch."

The programme involves the Shropshire FA supporting the club to be a well-structured, sustainable community business, assessing club governance and financial structures, creation of a holistic club action plan and access to FA consultant network and skillsets.

Shropshire FA strategy manager Andy Weston said: "In terms of Whitchurch’s involvement in the investment ready programme they are one of more than 120 cubs nationally involved and along with NC United from Telford we put forward to be involved.

"We have spoke to the club around their future aspirations and thought this might be beneficial to them."