AMBITIOUS Chatteris Town boss Jimmy Unwin has revealed he’s supporting the Ridgeons League’s plea to relax promotion rules which could allow his outfit’s charge up the non-league ladder to continue.

Our story last week highlighted a looming crisis at Step 6 of the non-league ladder - where March Town United play in the Ridgeons First Division - due to a lack of teams applying for promotion from Step 7 feeder leagues.

Unwin’s Lilies play in the Kershaw Premier League - a Step 7 feeder division - and have already applied for promotion. They may yet achieve it through the back door.

“We want to get this club back in the Ridgeons League,” said Unwin, whose team were promoted after winning their first title in 35 years last season.

“I’m ambitious - so are the players - and we want to test ourselves at the highest level possible. If we could get there through promotion then it would be brilliant. However, Godmanchester Rovers went up without winning the league so I’d have no issue with us doing the same.

“I think we’d perform well at that level because we’re a good footballing side.”

Chatteris are currently eighth in the Kershaw Premier League and haven’t played in the Ridgeons League since they withdrew in 2001.

Unwin said: “Some clubs simply can’t afford to make the step so I understand how this problem has arisen but I’ve got a big vision for this football club.

“I want more people of the town to get involved, businesses to support us and fans to turn out and watch us. Ninety per cent of the lads playing for us are from Chatteris and love playing for their hometown club.

“We would need a major injection of sponsorship to help us out if we moved up the ladder but we’re ready and willing to progress.”

The Lilies host fourth-placed Littleport Town in a crunch derby clash on Saturday which kicks off at 2pm.