BROMSGROVE Sporting officials are waiting to hear from Worcestershire County Council as to whether they can increase their ground capacity for next month's vital FA Vase semi-final clash with Lincolnshire side Cleethorpes.

Sporting played host to 3,000 supporters for last Sunday's success over Buckland Athletic and chairman Mike Burke believes there is room for more.

Mr Burke revealed the club was inundated with requests for more tickets after selling out their 3,000 allocation last Wednesday.

He admitted: "It's always upsetting when you have to turn people away.

"We could have done with a bigger capacity and it would be nice if we could increase the figure towards 4,000 for the Cleethorpes game as there is certainly plenty of scope to add more.

"Sunday's game was comfortable and safe. We did turn a few people away who we thought we incapacitated. That's why the official figure given was just below 3,000.

"But first we have to wait for a report back from the county council's safety officer before we can proceed.

"However, supporters have to realise, the bigger the crowd, the more it costs to steward and police. We have to make sure it's worthwhile financially before increasing the crowd."

Bromsgrove are set to host Cleethorpes on March 11 with the return leg set for March 18, which Mr Burke said could cause Sporting bigger problems.

He said: "Cleethorpes' ground only holds 1,200 although they are applying to have that figure increased.

"But we will only receive between 200 to 400 tickets which might be difficult when deciding who should have them after season tickets holders have taken their share.

"We gave Buckland 250 tickets but they gave us 120 of them back. We won't have that problem returning tickets for Cleethorpes.

But Mr Burke added: "It's not just about selling tickets, but the spin-off our FA Vase run is having on the town.

"The Vase run helps bring money into the town as all the pubs, cafes, plus fish and chip shops, were packed out prior to Sunday's game.

"It also gets everybody talking and helps put Bromsgrove on the map.

"However, everyone involved with Bromsgrove Sporting is looking beyond the FA Vase.

"We hope our success in the competition will attract more people back to the club. We're looking to the future.