Winchester City Football Club is calling for volunteers to help it stand a chance of promotion.

The club is undertaking about £15,000 to £20,000 worth of upgrading work to try to secure a place in the Southern League.

The newly-crowned champions of the Wessex League have been told they must erect a 1.8m fence around three sides of the ground in Hillier Way, Abbotts Barton.

David Malone, director of football, said: "We are not certain of getting promotion at all. We have asked the Southern League to come back and inspect us in May.

"This week we will be looking for volunteers to help with the fence. Next week is do or die. It's 50-50, but we are going to do everything we can."

Mr Malone thanked the city council for a more positive attitude towards the club. "I have been quick to knock them in the past but they have now started to be helpful."

Meanwhile, one of Winchester City's longest-serving fans is enjoying booming business to match the club's success on the pitch.

Rod Youngman runs the club shop at the Denplan Ground in Abbotts Barton.

Trade is so heavy that Mr Youngman, 62, sold out of most items and has just taken delivery of a new batch of scarves, rosettes, replica shirts, T-shirts and baseball caps.

Mr Youngman, of Cromwell Road, Stan-more, who has supported the club since 1948, said business at the shop had never been better. "Normally we sell £10 to £12 worth of stuff a game. At the Bideford semi-final of the FA Vase we shifted about £250 worth."

The club is expecting to take thousands of fans to Birmingham for the final of the FA Vase on Sunday, May 16.

How are you supporting City in the FA Vase. Are you travelling to the match in Birmingham on May 16? How are you going to mark the club's success or do you have an interesting or unusual link to the team, past or present. Call Sarah Jones at the Daily Echo's Winchester office on 01962 854355 or 841433 or e-mail using the link above.