CHRIS Reeves is positive Poole Town can raise the £25,000 required for their National South survival fight but admits: "The reality is we still have to pull it in."

In January, the Daily Echo revealed Dolphins would face demotion unless they reeled in £70,000 to get their headquarters up to scratch by the end of March, with the club having no facility to receive a Football Foundation grant.

Through a variety of fundraising initiatives – including a naming rights deal which saw Tatnam renamed the Black Gold Stadium – the figure required has been slashed by around two thirds although an additional £50,000 would be required at a later date.

Vice-chairman Reeves admits there is plenty to do in spite of the positive steps which have already been taken over work including upgrading the floodlights and preparing the ground for new terracing.

Speaking ahead of fourth-placed Poole's trip to East Thurrock tomorrow (3pm), Reeves told the Daily Echo: "By the end of March, we would be looking to pull in an extra £25,000 and thereafter, but with time to do it, we need another £50,000.

"We do have some pretty positive, plausible expectations with regard to the £25,000 but the reality is we still have to pull it in.

"In terms of the fundraising, it's ongoing. We do still need quite a bit more money but we have fundraising events lined up.

"We are pushing sponsorship opportunities as best we can, one of which is to sponsor the individual terracing units. There are 52 units, each one of which lends itself to a company's board being displayed.

"What we're hoping is that by the end of March, if we haven't got all the funds in, that we're very confident about where they are going to come from.

"But with what we've already achieved and the momentum we've generated, while we have confidence, we have still got to get the money.

"It's one thing getting sponsorship and another closing deals."

While fundraising efforts continue, significant work has been carried out at the Black Gold Stadium as Poole bid to meet National League ground-grading criteria.

Providing an update, Reeves continued: "Things are on schedule with regards to works.

"The floodlight pylon which we needed to move has been moved, which was a massive job, and the floodlight re-lamping has been done.

"The new turnstiles and their housings have been built and installed and a new emergency exit gate has been built and installed.

"The terracing units are well down the line of manufacture and the first of the units are going to be in situ next week. The slabs which are the basis for the terracing units are in place, so we are well up on things in that respect."

Poole are due to hold a fundraising dinner and dance at Vitality Stadium a week today. For further information or to book, email chris.reeves@pooletown.co.uk.