Scarborough Athletic's ongoing pitch problems and resulting financial challenges were raised in Parliament this week with the town's MP seeking government support for the fan-owned club.
The club's home ground, located at Scarborough Sports Village and rented from North Yorkshire Council, is out of action, potentially for all of the forthcoming season after serious defects were discovered with the structure of the playing surface.
The situation has necessitated a ground-sharing arrangement with Bridlington Town, which will see Scarborough Athletic play its home games at the Mounting Systems Stadium in Bridlington for the upcoming season. The club's board has acknowledged that this temporary relocation will have a number of implications for its finances, leading to "significant financial losses". They previously warned of a "quarter of a million pounds funding shortfall" for the coming season. Despite efforts like the "No Battle, No Victory" fund, the club's current budget forecasting still indicates a shortfall of approximately £150,000.
In response to the pitch issues, the North Yorkshire Council Executive formally agreed to fund the necessary £3.2 million repairs to the pitch at the Scarborough Sports Village, including the installation of a FIFA Pro Plus pitch, in time for the 26/27 season.
Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, highlighted the clubs plight in Parliament this week and asked the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, for a meeting to discuss what support is available.
"Scarborough Athletic football club is proudly 100% fan owned. Recently, the home ground that it rents from North Yorkshire council was declared unfit to play on due to botched astroturf installation. The club faces significant financial losses now that they need to play matches at another ground. Will the Minister meet me to discuss what support is available to secure the future of this beloved club, which is at the heart of our community?"
Secretary of State Lisa Nandy acknowledged Ms. Hume's work "championing such an amazing local club" and expressed pleasure in supporting her.
"I thank my hon. Friend for her work championing such an amazing local club, and we are pleased to support her in that endeavour. I encourage her to explore the support available via the premier league stadium fund delivered by the Football Foundation. The Government are pleased to be supporting grassroots clubs with £98 million of funding for the multi-sport grassroots facilities programme through the next financial year, which will build new facilities and upgrade facilities. If she wants to get in touch with me directly, we will work together to ensure that that benefits Scarborough, like every other part of the country."
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