The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Marine’s Peter McCormack is getting in shape to cycle 185 miles to Blyth to raise funds for the club’s ground appeal.

The Marine Supporters Association chairman and fellow fans are already seeing new floodlights installed at the Arriva Stadium thanks to their fundraising efforts and now they’ve set themselves a tough new target – raising £12,500 to help build a new catering facility at the ground’s Crosender Road end.

Planning permission for the new food outlet for fans was won last year but McCormack isn’t planning to break any Olympic records to make it to the North East - instead he’s setting off two days before the Evo-Stik NPL Premier clash at Blyth Spartans to make sure he gets to the game on time.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary hailed the support from fans and McCormack’s latest mission in aid of the club on Saturday 1 September.

"Peter McCormack is a real Marine hero and this is a real effort by him to highlight and help with our appeal," said the Mariners’ Chairman.

"If anyone would like to sponsor him or make a donation towards phase two of the ground appeal then cheques should be made payable to Marine FC Ground Appeal and should be sent to our Secretary Richard Cross at 74 Elvington Road, Hightown, Merseyside, L38 9AN. Donations can be made directly by via www.groundappeal.co.uk."

Marine's Chairman is determined to push ahead with phase two of the club’s development plan with work on the club's new floodlights now almost complete and the new season around the corner.

He added: "We are concerned at the lack of spectator facilities at the Crosender Road end of the ground with entrances, seating, toilets, catering and covered accommodation all in place at the College Road end.

"Our planning approval last year identified the need to balance out in some way spectator facilities at both ends of the ground and in the interest of safety, particularly for higher profile attended games, a catering facility providing snacks and beverages has to be installed at the Crosender Road end.

"We are very proud of the improvements that we have made this summer to the Arriva Stadium, with the new lights and upgraded pitch. But we must continue with our efforts to raise funds to enable us to complete phase two of our plan which is a very important part of our stadium development."

McCormack and other fundraisers may be busy even after the new catering facility is built. If their team is successful on the pitch Marine also have planning approval for phase three of their ground development, a new 130 seat covered stand at the Crosender Road end that’ll be needed should they win promotion to Conference North.

For more information efforts to fund improvements to the Arriva Stadium go to www.groundappeal.co.uk.