The UniBond League's committee are to conduct a ground grading at Cannon Park on Monday and if the Badgers fail they will be denied promotion to the UniBond Premier.

Retford were told at the start of the season they had to make significant improvements to the ground or they would face explusion from the league, which could even result in a demotion back to the Northern Counties East League.

UniBond ground grader Phil Varney said: "Retford United have got a lot of work to do and they only have until the league's deadline of 31st March to do it."

"They knew a year ago what work had to be done and if they haven't done it by 31st March there can be no excuses."

"There is a chance that they could be demoted because the UniBond and FA have the power to do that if they have not complied with our ground regulations – but I would fight against that."

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The major sticking point is the lack of a stand.

UniBond rules state a club must have a 150-seater stand, which Cannon Park does not have.

Badgers official Jon Knight said: "A stand has been ordered but it cannot be installed until the end of the season because it has to be driven over the pitch."

Knight says the club are confident they can pass the ground grading, with officials and supporters doing their bit to help.

"We have got somebody coming in to do the internal adjustments like a female referee's room and a medical room, and they've also sorted out the fencing around the ground," he added.

"There's an extra turnstile to be put in and the supporters' club have put wire meshing in around the perimiter of the pitch to stop the ball going out of play."

"Everybody at our end is confident we will be ok but it all depends on what the powers that be believe."