 Whaddon Road has a capacity of more than 7,000 |
Bristol Rovers will play their home games at a ground in Cheltenham from the middle of next season. The team will temporarily play at Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road as the Memorial Stadium in Bristol is to be demolished ahead of its regeneration.
A new 18,500 all-seater arena is to be built on the Horfield site.
The Pirates still plan to play over half of their League One campaign at the Memorial Stadium between August and December.
"We have decided to play our home games at Cheltenham for many reasons," said Rovers' director Geoff Dunford.
Decade in exile
"The venue received a positive response from a survey of our supporters earlier in the year, and throughout our discussions, the Cheltenham Town board of directors and manager John Ward have made us feel very welcome."
Bristol Rugby Club, which shares the "Mem" with Rovers, said the situation regarding its coming season was "ongoing".
Whaddon Road is 40 miles up the M5 from the club's current home and has a capacity of 7,066.
The move is set to be formally rubber-stamped by the Football League later in the week, ahead of the release of the 2007/08 fixture list next Thursday.
"We feel the size of Whaddon Road will help create an excellent atmosphere, much the same as Twerton Park did for us when we moved to Bath in 1986," he said.
"The playing surface is also superb and will suit the type of football Lennie Lawrence and Paul Trollope wish to play."
Rovers spent a decade in exile in Bath, when they were unable to secure a home ground in Bristol.
"When we relocated to Bath many residents were apprehensive, but as a club we showed respect for the neighbourhood and the environment around us, and over time we added value to the local community," added Mr Dunford.
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