GLAMOUR cup ties could be played under the lights at the home of Haddington Athletic next season.

The East of Scotland Football League side has been given permission to install floodlights at Millfield.

The move allows the club to move closer to gaining its Scottish Football Association (SFA) licence, which would open the door to the club playing in the Scottish Cup and also moving up the league pyramid.

Drew Donaldson, first team chairman, was pleased with the progress being made, with a decision likely to be taken by Scottish football’s governing body in February as to whether the ground is up to the standard required for the country’s premier cup competition. Celtic FC are the current holders.

He said: “We are still hopeful we will make the deadline in February.

“It does seem a bit surreal – I never thought we would have floodlights at Millfield.”

East Lothian Council gave the football club, which dates back 80 years, planning permission for the installation of eight floodlights.

The floodlights, which measure 15 metres in height, would be put in place around the grass pitch, with four each side of the park.

Currently, only Preston Athletic represent East Lothian in the Scottish Cup, with the Pennypit side having taken on Queen’s Park and Montrose in recent years, as well as knocking Stenhousemuir out of the competition in 2006.

In recent months, Tranent Juniors and Musselburgh Athletic have also received permission to erect floodlights at their grounds.

Mr Donaldson said: “If you look at the coverage the likes of Bonnyrigg Rose and Penicuik Athletic got a few weeks ago in the Scottish Cup, it shows what is possible.

“We are not a million miles away from Penicuik and you see clubs can get a few breaks.”

Mr Donaldson highlighted the prize money on offer through the Scottish Cup, with clubs gaining money for reaching each round, as well as the possibility of cup ties being shown on national television.

Floodlights are expected to cost in the region of £60,000, with half of the five-figure sum coming from East Lothian Council.

The planning officer’s report notes that the installation of floodlights would allow the facilities at Millfield to be used for longer periods and that they could be used up to 10pm Monday to Friday during the winter and up to 9pm over the weekend.