Scarborough Athletic will not return to the McCain Stadium, where the old football team played until 2007.

The Borough Council is likely to invest money in a new facility rather than regenerate the old site.

Athletic chairman Richard Adamson told BBC Radio York: "Even if the council were willing to repair it we couldn't afford to run it.

"It's a Football League ground and we're playing at level five below the Football League."

Scarborough Athletic have been based at Bridlington Town's ground since the club formed and they are working to find a way to get back into the town.

Neither the council or ourselves want to get back into the position that the old Scarborough FC got where you're just burdened with debt and it ends in tears Richard Adamson

The McCain Stadium has not been used since Scarborough FC closed down in 2007.

Adamson said: "A lot of our fans have a very strong emotional attachment to the Athletic Ground or the McCain Stadium, as I do myself.

"I spent hours and hours of happy times down there and some not very happy times to be honest. But the ground is absolutely wrecked. It just is damaged beyond repair.

"So sadly, I know its the end of an era but it is the right decision to say goodbye to the Athletic Ground and to look forward to a new facility elsewhere in Scarborough that will be financially viable and sustainable.

"At the end of the day neither the council or ourselves want to get back into the position that the old Scarborough FC got where you're just burdened with debt and it ends in tears."

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