Council deal ends delays to ending exile

Scarborough Athletic are hailing the decision of local councillors to give the green light to a new sports village that will pave the way for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club to return home from exile.

Following a three month delay, the Seadogs are celebrating confirmation that the multi-million pound scheme at nearby Weaponness, which includes a new community ground with a 3G pitch and an eight lane Olympic-sized swimming pool, is going ahead after the local authority finally concluded agreements with developers.

The First Division South club currently play 20 miles down the coast at Bridlington and the town has been without a football ground since the McCain Stadium was demolished in 2011.

The development is being financed by the sale of of the former Scarborough FC's ground and the disposal of the local authority's old sports and leisure centre together with grants from the Football Foundation, Sport England and the England Squash and Racketball Association.

Scarborough Athletic's Chairman Dave Holland said: "This announcement represents a huge step closer to a return to the borough for Scarborough Athletic FC, and gives us a confidence boost to progress our own plans and aspirations.

"Weaponness will become both the hub and pinnacle of local football activity, and allow us to develop our community credentials even further; this is exciting and welcome news indeed."