Former Scarborough Athletic Chairman Expresses Confidence in Ground Issue Resolution

Simon Cope, the original chairman of Scarborough Athletic back in 2007, has voiced his confidence that the current problems with the club's home ground will be resolved.

Speaking to This is the Coast, Cope acknowledged the "unfortunate situation" regarding the 3G pitch at Scarborough Sports Village, which has left Scarborough Athletic without a home ground for most of next season.

Despite now being an "outsider", Cope noted that "everybody involved, all the stakeholders seem to be wanting to get it resolved".

"It's gut wrenching that it could all be taken away, but I'm confident that everyone involved wants to get it resolved.

And even if it means playing away for half a season, a season, that it, it will get sorted out. So, appreciate it seems to be a large sum of money involved to rectify the problems but North Yorkshire council seemed to be saying the right things and saying that it is their responsibility to sort out."

Cope acknowledged the significant sum of money, around £3 million, potentially needed to rectify the problems, which could take approximately 44 weeks due to necessary structural and drainage works.

Cope noted that "North York Council seem to be saying the right things and saying that it is their responsibility to sort out". North Yorkshire Council has confirmed they are in discussion with the original contractors who built the pitch eight years ago saying that a pitch of that age "should not have failed in such a way". 

The council's Corporate Director for Community Development, Nic Harne, stated, 

"We're working with the original contractors... And we're just trying to understand what has happened to it underneath the ground and what a responsibility the original contractors had in that".

Scarborough Athletic's board has confirmed they are actively working to "arrange a compliant groundshare to the satisfaction of the National League and Ground Grading Regulations at locations that would have the least impact on our supporters". They have met with various parties, including the National League, the Football Foundation, elected representatives, and potential venues.

Simon Cope remembers well the effects of having to play home games outside of Scarborough, recalling the first game in Hunmanby with an unexpectedly large turnout and then many years playing home games in Bridlington. Simon says that having to play outside of Scarborough for much of next season will be a challenge for the club and for fans, many of whom may not have had the experience before.

"There's a, a new generation of fans who weren't around when we had to do that.

And yeah, there's a serious commitment from the fans at the time to make. To make that journey through to Bridlington.  Wherever we end up playing, it's going to be a big challenge and it, it's going to involve a lot of commitment from fans to keep putting the miles in and getting there and supporting us wherever we may end up.

it's an unfortunate situation that we find ourselves in. I'm now an outsider, but it seems that everybody involved, all the stakeholders seem to be wanting to get it resolved, which is a positive thing."

Simon Cope praised the recent support from fans, noting the "amazing" away following and home turnout, which has seemingly boosted attendance figures. He urged the supporters to "keep that positivity going" and to have "a bit of patience" as discussions continue. Cope expressed his confidence in the current board to make the right decisions, reiterating that "it sounds like everyone involved is wanting a good resolution".