AFC Emley are pumping money into their pitch.

And they hope Huddersfield Town will be among the clubs to play on it during pre-season.

Renovation work on the Welfare Ground surface is under way.

A boost in sponsorship income, thanks to the efforts of the club’s new commercial committee, along with revenue generated from the record-breaking 463 crowd at the groundhop game against Hemsworth MW in April, means the go-ahead has been given to the biggest pitch improvement project in the club’s history.

Although a good surface when compared to others in the Northern Counties East League First Division, the underlying structure is poor and has not been improved for many years.

The work will help the drainage and encourage better grass growth.

That should reduce the risk of postponements during spells of wet weather.

The work will be completed by the middle of July, after which Emley hope Town will visit.

A spokesman said: “We hope to continue the traditional curtain-raiser with Huddersfield Town at the Welfare Ground.

“It is always a great occasion and a strong test for our players and it boosts the coffers at a key time of year.”

Danny Carr, with a penalty, and Sondre Tronstad scored in Town’s 2-0 win at Emley last August.

Darren Hepworth’s side, who finished fifth in the NCEL First Division, have one warm-up game fixed up, away to Cleethorpes Town, of the NCEL Premier Division, on Saturday, July 18.

Brighouse Town, fresh from their debut season in the Northern Premier League – they finished 14th in the First Division North – will visit Emley’s NCEL First Division rivals Yorkshire Amateur on Tuesday, July 14.

Former Town loan player Julian Watts has become manager of Rainworth Miners Welfare.

He recently resigned as boss of their NCEL First Division rivals Shirebrook Town.

Watts made eight Town appearances on loan from Leicester City during the1997-98 season.