THE need to be up for the cup has led to a football club near York seeking permission to stage more floodlit matches.

Pocklington Town have applied to planners for the chance to play extra night games at their home at the Henry Thirsk Amenity Centre saying the current limits mean they cannot host matches in knock-out competitions.

But while the club’s proposals have been backed by local football chiefs, they have met with opposition from people living near the ground, who claim extending the floodlight usage could create noise and parking problems and interrupt their sleep.

The proposals, which allow for two floodlit games a week on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, will go before East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s western area planning sub-committee on Tuesday and are recommended for approval.

In a statement to the council, the football club said: “Greater flexibility of use for the floodlights is sought, as this would allow the club to cater for rescheduled games following weather postponements, as well as the vagaries of the fixture schedule, which cannot be predicted or guaranteed to allocate the club one game a week. The present permission does not allow the club to host cup games, as per the requirements of their leagues, as the need to play extra-time and potentially penalties would take the game over the permitted time for the lights to be on.”

A report by planners said Town’s request had been supported by the Humber Premier and York Minster Engineering Football leagues, who said it would provide opportunities for young players and “allow the club to receive full value for their considerable investment”.

York City and District Football Association said the extension should be granted because the club’s floodlighting system is one of only two within 15 miles of York.

Residents who objected to the plans said if permission was granted it might have a “knock-on effect of drinking in the social club and licensing hours being extended”.