VICE-chairman Chris Reeves revealed Poole Town had received a "significant offer" for ground naming rights which could give Dolphins a "massive boost" in their battle to remain in National South.

High-flying Poole, who entertain St Albans tomorrow (3pm), face the prospect of demotion unless they can find £70,000 to get their Tatnam headquarters up to scratch.

Crowned Southern League champions last year, the Dorset club were given the green light to stage step two football on the proviso Tatnam met National League ground-grading criteria by March 31.

The project, which involves installing low-level terracing and upgrading the floodlights, will cost around £150,000 – although less than half of that would be required by the end of March.

Local businessman Steve Griffiths, who owns Portman Stone in Christchurch, recently bought a shareholding in the club and pledged £40,000. Poole have no facility for receiving a Football Foundation grant.

While politely declining to reveal the exact figures involved in the club's naming rights offer, Reeves admitted the deal – if it goes through – would allow Dolphins to make a sizeable dent in their target.

Reeves told the Daily Echo: "We've had a significant ground naming rights offer and we are now looking to close it. I am very confident it will cross the line and it would be a massive boost.

"We still have to plough on with all our fundraising efforts but we are very positive. The JustGiving page has been going extremely well as we are north of £4,000 and donations are coming in from far and wide.

"We have two or three advertising and sponsorship commitments and to get businesses on board is always terrific.

"There is also a clutch of fundraising events being organised by our fans. We can't take our foot off the pedal but we are optimistic we are going to produce the goods.

"We're not there yet with the money but we are relatively confident it is going to happen."

Reeves also revealed the club planned to hold a fundraising dinner at Vitality Stadium following a generous offer from Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn.

Reflecting on Mostyn's gesture, Reeves added: "He offered to do us a really good deal so we could have a fundraising dinner at Dean Court, which we are going to take up, and we're hoping that perhaps Harry Redknapp will be present.

"There has been dialogue and I'm very hopeful we can sort something out there."

Mostyn is not the only well-known face to give his backing to Poole.

Charlie Austin – now at Southampton – offered to help by giving his old club use of his box at St Mary's Stadium for Saints' game against Arsenal next month, which Poole could use to entertain potential investors.

Reeves was yesterday in Telford where he was due to attend a meeting of National League officials, with various housekeeping issues – including proposed changes to the play-offs – up for discussion.