BRIAN KILCULLEN, chairman of Gravesend and Northfleet FC, has offered the club's supporters a partnership designed to win promotion to the Nationwide Conference. At the end of a week of double celebration in which Stonebridge Road was passed fit for Conference football while the team moved to the top of the Ryman League, Premier Division, Mr Kilcullen promised to spend extra gate revenue on strengthening the squad.

Last Saturday's season's best home crowd of 604 was above the break-even figure of 575.

"I thought we might attract 550 but 604 was beyond all expectations," he admitted. "If our gates continue to rise then I promise the extra money will be given to the manager strengthen the squad. The more that come, the more we can give to the manager.

"We were thrilled with Saturday's attendance and if our success continues, I would like to think that the gates will rise accordingly. I'm not the sort who says that just because a club is doing well you have a divine right to expect a big response at the gate. We as a club have to work at it.

"When I first became chairman I said we would have to work hard at raising the club's profile in the town and surrounding area. Nothing has changed because I know we still have a great deal of work to do in this respect."

He stressed: "I would like to thank all the fans who turned up for the St Albans match. They had their monies worth and I would like to think they'll return."