Football club could receive £150,000 council loan

A football club could receive a loan of up to £150,000 from North Yorkshire Council after its home ground was closed due to "serious and unexpected" structural issues.

Problems with the foundations and drainage system at Scarborough Sports Village have forced Scarborough Athletic FC to play their home games in Bridlington.

The council said the move had resulted in a "significant drop in income" for the club due to reduced attendances and the loan would provide "some much-needed security and support".

Work to repair the ground and relay the 3G pitch - which is estimated to cost £3.2m - is due to be completed by August.

Members of the council's executive will consider the loan proposal at a meeting on Tuesday, 17 January.

A spokesperson for the authority said the loan would only be accessed if required by the club and would be provided at the usual commercial rates.

The council is also due to consider a small grant to "contribute towards the cost of servicing any loan, while incentivising the club to keep levels of debt to an absolute minimum".

Simon Myers, executive member for leisure, said: "The ongoing repairs have had a significant effect on all users of the pitch, but especially on Scarborough Athletic who rely heavily on matchday income and sponsorship.

"The club have put measures in place to mitigate the impact of their loss of income while the pitch is repaired, with campaigns and fundraising as well as support from their sponsors.

"It is expected their financial position will improve significantly once the pitch repairs are completed. However, the club expects to experience cash flow issues in the short term due to not being able to play home fixtures at Scarborough Sports Village."

He acknowledged it was an unusual set of circumstances and a loan would only be considered "in the most exceptional of situations".

"We know how important the club is to the whole community, and that's why we are absolutely committed to ensuring that the pitch is repaired to an excellent standard, as swiftly as possible, so it can be enjoyed again by everyone," Myers added.

The first phase of the repairs to the pitch was completed in January, with the playing surface successfully removed by contractors.

The next step, which is due to start n the coming weeks, will see stabilisation works and drainage repairs carried out before a new pitch surface is laid.

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