A football club’s success should be rubbing off on town traders according to a leading figure, who said it’s time explore the opportunities presented by travelling fans.

Spalding United fan and town councillor Gary Taylor feels that the increased attendance at games following the club’s promotion holds greater potential for businesses in the area.

The Tulips are now playing in the National League North which is bringing fans from far and wide to the Sir Halley Stewart Field in Winfrey Avenue.

During the last Spalding Town Forum meeting Coun Taylor questioned how the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) was looking at ways to make the most of this opportunity.

Speaking at Tuesday’s (October 20) meeting, Coun Taylor said: “There are many away fans that attend Spalding. Often the gates are nearly 1,000 - some times in four figures.

“Away fans now travel here from some distance such as Scarborough and South Shields for example.

“That would often involve overnight accommodation and of course making use of hospitality and turning to businesses.

“There’s an opportunity there for those travelling from away to spend more and increase footfall.”

BID manager Sarah Fletcher said that she is working with Spalding United to talk about opportunities around away fans and how the club can help to support local hospitality businesses on match days.

She said: “There are lots of opportunities that we need to cash in on.”