Gloucester City receive council backing for new stadium

(Gloucester City’s Meadow Park stadium was flooded in 2007)

By Alex Milne
Gloucester City AFC have received a boost ahead of their proposed return home with backing of the city council who have unanimously voted for a motion to support the plan for a new stadium.
The National League South side have been without a permanent ground ever since their Meadow Park stadium was flooded in 2007, and have been playing home games at Evesham United this season.
But they recently received full planning permission from Gloucester City Council to build a new 3,060 capacity stadium on the site of their old ground, and hope to be playing there next season.
City Council leader Paul James said: “This Council supports the Club’s ambition to be playing back in Gloucester for the 2019/20 season and will support funding applications by the Club to the Football Association and other funders to help finance the new stadium.”
He added: “I have long said that it is an embarrassment to Gloucester that our football club has been playing outside the city for so long. That said, it is important that we don’t dwell on what has happened in the past but unite behind the club to get it back playing at Meadow Park as soon as possible.”
Gloucester chairman Rod Jenner reacted positively to the news, saying: “We wholeheartedly agree with the call for local people, businesses and influencers to support the club and we are always looking for new supporters and sponsors to be part of our journey home. We are really gathering tangible momentum now and with progress at Meadow Park coming along every day, it’s plain for all to see that Gloucester City is definitely coming home and that’s the bottom line.”
The club are expected to release plans for the scheme to supporters next week.