HARWICH and Parkeston chairman Tony Armstrong says finding a new sponsor will be a top priority in 2014.

And he admits getting a backer on board will be pivotal to the club’s chances of moving up to step six football.

The Shrimpers have officially applied to join the Thurlow Nunn League, from the Kent Blaxill Essex and Suffolk Border League.

However, Armstrong says finance will be a major factor – and finding a new main sponsor is pivotal to the club’s future.

“We’ve formally applied and notified the Border League that we’d like to go up at the end of this season,” said the Harwich stalwart.

“But – and it’s a big but – everything is totally dependent on our financial situation.

“Central to that is the need to find a new sponsor and that will be a top priority for next year.

“We’re trying our hardest to bring senior football back to Harwich.

“Both our first team and reserves are performing admirably and we’re doing all we can on the pitch.

“We want to take the club forward.

“But we need help off it and we need to find a business keen to get on board and proud to be associated with Harwich and Parkeston.

“That will be key to helping us resurrect senior football in the area.”

For the full story, see this week's Standard.