Gorleston FC and council working together to find new hometown base for club
Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Gorleston Football Club are delighted to announce that they are actively working on a viable solution to bring Gorleston Football Club back into Gorleston with the development of a new stadium that meets the playing FA requirements of its first team and that supports its thriving youth section, which currently engages with 250 grassroots footballers every week.
Project 'Bring Gorleston Back to Gorleston' is well underway and both organisations are considering all options available to support the club to ensure a long and sustainable future in the borough.
Gorleston FC has a long and proud tradition of engaging with the town during its 140-year history and this statement of intent shows real synergy to try to find a solution to sustaining the club long into the future.
The club moved to the Recreation Ground in Gorleston in 1889, with the first match at the ground played on November 9. A record attendance of 4,473 was set in 1951 for an FA Cup first round replay against Orient.
In 1982 the club left the Recreation Ground to move to Emerald Park in the town. In July 2022 they left Emerald Park to play at Lowestoft Town FC for the season 2022/23. For the 2023/24 season, the club reached agreement with GYBC to use its stadium, The Wellesley, in Great Yarmouth and to lead on some much-required developments to the site to ensure the stadium could meet FA requirements.
A spokesperson for the Football Club said: "We are delighted to be working with Great Yarmouth Borough Council on finding a long-term solution for the club to have a home again in Gorleston. To have the club playing once again in Gorleston is so positive for the local community, and especially for the hundreds of footballers who represent the club on a weekly basis.
''As one of the largest football clubs in Norfolk from U6 to adult, boys, and girls, it is essential we sustain this vital community asset.''
Councillor Carl Smith, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: ''We are absolutely delighted to be working with Gorleston FC to try to bring the club back to its hometown.
''This is the start of a process that will hopefully see the dream realised. There is a long way to go, but everyone is working hard to restore Gorleston FC to the town for the benefit of fans and everyone in the borough.
''The club plays a vital role in providing accessible sporting opportunities in the borough and we all hope this can continue long into the future in Gorleston.''
The club spokesperson said no further details are currently available, but added more information would be shared as the work progresses.
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