PORTLAND United have put themselves in the frame to re-join the Wessex League next season.

The Blues have completed the necessary paperwork to be considered for promotion by the FA, should they meet the require-ments, both on and off the pitch.

The islanders’ scheduled clash against Poole Borough, part of their quest to secure a hat-trick of Dorset Premier League titles, was postponed at Grove Corner on Saturday with the visitors unable to raise a side.

But although he was disappointed not to see the Blues in action at the weekend, club chairman Robin Satherley exclusively revealed to Echosport that plans have been discussed to progress up the footballing pyramid, even though he insists the club are still a long way away from doing so.

“We have put in an application to join the Wessex league next season. It is only an application,” he said.

“We have sent the necessary application forms to the Football Association for possible promotion, however we realise that this will be subject to a ground grading inspection later in the year and also if our floodlights come up to the standard required.

“There has been a bit of impetus within the committee to see whether or not our facilities are acceptable for the Wessex League and some people on the committee feel that perhaps Portland United should be in a higher league “We have only filled in two pieces of A4 paper.

"That is all we have done so far.

“You have to comply with the date of December 31 if you wish to be considered for Wessex League Division One next season.

“This is not done and dusted, even if we were to get accepted, the ball is still in our court. We can still come up with the final decision.

“The ground grading facilities have to be correct before we can even think about it so we are still a long way away.”

The Blues last played in the Wessex League around a decade ago, and the decision to look at the possibilities of re-entering the division could give Gary Bailey’s men an added incentive to seal another Dorset Premier League crown.

“It is very important now that we end up as close to the top of the league as we can,” Blues’ stalwart Satherley added.

“We do not have to win the league to go up unless some- one above us decides that they are going to make an application.”

Reacting to his side’s possible chance of promotion, manager Bailey said: “Obviously we are excited about it.

“From the playing side of things we have been looking forward to it for several seasons.

“It’s the challenge that the players have been asking me as a manager and the club to give them and it is now down to them to perform.

“I have made no secret that I want to win the league and I have challenged them to do that even though we may not have to, to go up.”