FOOTBALL fans cheering on their team at New Recreation Park could soon find themselves with shelter as Ormiston Primrose look to begin a Scottish Cup journey.

The county football side are keen to put in place a covered terracing area for spectators at their home ground.

The club, which plays in the Second Division of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL), has applied to East Lothian Council for planning permission.

The enclosure would be for standing only, although it will be designed so that seats could be added at a later date.

The football club had an enclosure at their previous Recreation Park home before they moved in 2018.

John Greenhorn, secretary, said that the club were now looking to replace that structure and take steps to play in Scottish football’s premier cup competition.

Scottish Cup the ambition

He said: “The medium-term ambition is to play in the Scottish Cup.

“It has always been our ambition and the next step after this would be for floodlights.”

Various hurdles, including the installation of public toilets, would need to be overcome for the club to obtain its Scottish Football Association (SFA) licence.

The other five senior football clubs in the county have already gained their licence and all five now play in the Scottish Cup. Preston Athletic have had their licence for several years, while Dunbar United, Haddington Athletic, Musselburgh Athletic and Tranent Juniors achieved the status within the last two years.

Preliminary-round contests are played next month as Haddington face Darvel, Musselburgh travel to Penicuik Athletic, Preston host Newton Stewart and Dunbar visit Vale of Leithen.

Now, Ormiston Primrose are hoping to join them in the prestigious competition in the coming years.

For 200 people

If approved, the enclosure, which could be used by about 200 people, would run along part of the northern touchline.

Mr Greenhorn stressed that there was still work to be done, with East Lothian Council committed to carrying out digging out work.

He said: “We have got some help with an architect and so on to do the technical stuff.

“It is a local business helping us out with drawing and the engineers’ report.

“They put it all together to put a planning application in and we have other local businesses helping us.”

A decision is expected to be taken in early October.