It isn't everyday that a football team secures promotion because of the quality of its pitch.

But that is exactly what happened for the Raynes Park Vale Football Club after a quirky ruling saw two teams that finished above them on the ladder forced to stay put because the quality of their fields weren't up to scratch.

The RPVFC competed in the Combined Counties Football League division one this season, and despite a strong finish to the season could only muster a fifth place finish, 16 points off league winners Worcester Park.

But following a ruling by the FA that Worcester Park and Sheerwater's (finished fourth) grounds did not meet the proper standards, Raynes Park was given the final promotion spot.

But the club nearly didn't make it to this point at all.

In November last year a team of volunteers from local building company Kisiel Group spent a day working on "much need improvements" to the club’s grounds.

The volunteers returned once again in January to undertake further works.

Before this all took place, not only did the football club stand no chance of being promoted, it also faced the risk of folding completely.

But after the upgrades were complete, not only was the club able to remain in the league but it met the higher level requirements for promotion.

RELATED: Building company Kisiel's volunteers roll up sleeves to save Raynes Park Vale Football Club

Paul Bentley, RPVFC chairman, was elated about the news.

“Fantastic news for the club," he said.

"I cannot say how much we appreciate the work that Kisiel Group did to support the club at a time of difficulty last year as we were close to being kicked out of the league.

"Their continuing sterling work and the tremendous skills of our players has put us in the position that although in 5th place we have been promoted."

The president of the CCFL, Ken Huckle, said while it was good that Raynes Park had improved its facilities, it wasn't ideal that other clubs were forced to miss out on promotion.

"It's based on a ground grading scheme of the FA that you have to have certain facilities and meet the criteria," Mr Huckle said.

"It's an expense the clubs have to go through if they want to stay at that level of football, but it is definitely a bit of a shame."