Scarborough Athletic Face Major Clean-Up Operation Ahead Of Sports Village Return

Scarborough Athletic are preparing to return to the Scarborough Sports Village after a year away in Bridlington, but the club's chairman has warned there is significant work to do once the pitch repairs are completed this Friday.

Scarborough Athletic are preparing to return to their home ground at the Scarborough Sports Village after a year away, but club officials have warned there is a significant amount of work to do before the gates can open.

North Yorkshire Council has confirmed that the installation of a new playing surface is on track to be completed by Friday.

The Seadogs were forced to relocate their home fixtures down the coast to Bridlington for the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign after serious and unexpected structural issues were discovered during a planned resurfacing project last year.

While the completion of the pitch marks a major milestone, Scarborough Athletic Chairman Trevor Bull says the club will face a logistical challenge when they finally regain access to the facility.

Trevor Bull said:

"We've had lots of offers of help from supporters. Once we get access to the grounds, there's lots of people going to help us tidy that up and get that ready for the next season. So, that's a bonus as well.

So, overall we're just planning and looking forward to getting back into that ground."

The stadium serves as the primary home ground for both Scarborough Athletic and Scarborough Ladies Football Club.

When the teams were forced out, it was due to significant drainage and masonry concerns that rendered the surface unplayable. Construction company Willmott Dixon was brought in to complete crucial structural works to provide a stable base, while specialists have been laying the final 3G carpet.

With the physical works drawing to a close, attention is turning to the practicalities of making the stadium ready for match days. Fans are expected to play a crucial role in preparing the venue.

Trevor Bull added:

"Steve O'Brien's handling up that operation and he's got a plan. He knows what needs to be done.

And once we can get in there,  It's simple, but time consuming things like obviously the tidying up and things like that.

But we've got every single ground board to put back up again round the pitch. That's quite labour intensive."

The local authority has been overseeing the extensive repairs to secure the long-term future of the pitch.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for leisure, Councillor Simon Myers, confirmed that the completion date means competitive fixtures will return to Scarborough in time for the start of the 2026/27 football season this August.

Councillor Simon Myers said:

"This project has been a priority for us ever since our commitment to protecting the pitch's long-term future for the benefit of the communities of Scarborough and beyond.

"From the outset, we have been clear that these repairs must be completed to a high standard, and crucially, as quickly as possible in order to minimise the impact on those who rely heavily on the pitch – especially Scarborough Athletic and their fans.

"I am delighted that we are now in the final stages of the project, with the new pitch being re-laid. It is great that the new playing surface will be installed well in advance of the new 2026/27 football season, as we promised.

"I am looking forward to seeing fans and pitch users return to Scarborough Sports Village in the coming weeks, and I would like to thank our communities for their patience and cooperation over the last few months."

The council is now focusing on the transition process for the clubs.

Councillor Liz Colling, chair of North Yorkshire Council's Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee, noted that the authority's officers are in regular contact with Scarborough Athletic and Scarborough Ladies to assist with their return.

Councillor Liz Colling said:

"The work together will be completed and tested by the 26th of June. NYC officers are in regular contact with the two main clubs that use the pitch which are Scarborough Athletic and Scarborough Ladies to assist with their transition back to using the pitch for the beginning of the season.

"So it's been a rough year, especially for Scarborough Athletic playing away in Bridlington, but we have got there and that comes with the guarantees, but Willmott Dixon have been very good at meeting their obligations."

Scarborough Athletic have announced that their first fixture back at the Scarborough Sports Village will be a pre-season friendly against Barnsley, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, with a 1pm kick-off.

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