Boss Mick Bradshaw believes there are exciting times ahead at Rayners Lane.

The Lane are a club on the up, with impressive plans for the regeneration of Tithe Farm Sports and Social Club in the pipeline.

Rayners Lane, who were beaten 1-0 by league leaders Milton United on Tuesday night, have agreed the sale of a piece of disused land on the site of the club to developer Matthew Homes to help fund the ambitious £2.1million project.

A community play area, complete refurbishment of the clubhouse and replacement of the grass pitch with a synthetic 3G playing surface are all in the works.

The Lane, under the management of Dene Gardner, were champions of Division One East last season.

But they were unable to achieve promotion to the Premier after failing to achieve the necessary ground grading due to a lack of toilets fitted in the home dressing room.

Bradshaw has learned a lot in his first season in charge following Gardner’s departure last summer and has already seen enough to suggest the club can move up the pyramid.

“I felt really sorry for my predecessor Dene Gardner when the club were not allowed to go up due to ground facilities, because Rayners Lane is quite clearly a level five set-up,” he said.

“It makes it a bit of a joke when we go to some clubs in our division and they have to kick off at 12.30pm or 1pm on a Saturday because they have not got floodlights. Some of them should really be playing in county leagues or below.

“The grading problems should be sorted out by the new re-development plans and the introduction of a 3G pitch, which should mean very exciting times ahead for the club.

“You only have to take a look at Maidstone United where their 3G pitch is used almost 24-7 by local clubs and schools, which generates a really strong income.”

It could not come at a better time for Rayners Lane, with the the FA confirming this week that 3G pitches will be allowed in every round of the FA Cup from next season.

Meanwhile, Wembley will play Uxbridge in the final of the Middlesex Charity Cup when Ian Bates’ boys knocked out his brother’s Bedont & Feltham side on penalties this week after a 3-3 draw.

It followed a 1-0 win for the Lions at home to Mole Valley on Saturday.