Scarborough Athletic Set for First Home Game at Bridlington

Scarborough Athletic Football Club is preparing to host its first home fixture at their temporary home of Bridlington's Mounting Systems Stadium tonight.

Boro are playing home games at Bridlington this season following the news of necessary major works on the pitch at their usual home at Scarborough Sports Village. The club has entered into a groundshare agreement with Bridlington Town AFC for this temporary arrangement.

Tonight's match will see Scarborough Athletic, currently unbeaten in their pre-season campaign, take on Sheffield Wednesday U21s in their final friendly before the National League North season commences on 9th August.

This fixture offers supporters a final opportunity to see the team in action ahead of the new season and is crucial for generating income that the club has missed out on during its pre-season away games. Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm, with turnstiles opening at 6.45pm.

To assist fans, the Valley Bar Seadogs Travel Club will be operating a dedicated supporter bus service to the Mounting Systems Stadium for this fixture. While the travel club historically ensures coaches are available for all away games, having "never failed to put any coaches on to any games", this season marks an extension of their service to cover all home games played in Bridlington.

Matthew Gowan from the Valley Bar Seadogs Travel Club emphasised the club's commitment,

"Obviously it's hard times for the club, so we just want to, try and help the club out and try and get as many fans to Queensgate as possible, especially for those that don't drive, or want to use the service bus.

For Saturdays we can have up to five or six coaches. an average coach holds 53 people and then on a Tuesday night, we can have up to two or three coaches.

We've never failed to put any coaches onto any games. we've always managed to, put something on .

I think last year there was eight of them travelled in a car to, Hereford just 'cause it was such short notice, and we managed hire a car.

We've got the option of using the scholarship minibus if we need to and obviously we can use Esk Valley.

Matthew says the service is proving successful, with a trial run for a previous game against Bridlington at Queens Gate attracting 45 people, and approximately 40 people already booked for this Friday's game.

"We've got about 40 odd people booked on Friday, so that's very good.

We, we did another trial run for the, Bridlington game when Scarborough played Bridlington at Queensgate and we had 45 people on, so it's proven a success at the moment, but obviously we don't know what the season's gonna look like 'cause we don't know whether people are gonna travel by their own accord by going on buses or trains.

So we'll just have to take each week as it comes really. But hopefully, fingers crossed, it'll be a success.

For this evening's fixture, the supporters bus will depart from Scarborough Sports Village at 6.15pm and Scarborough Station at 6.30pm, aiming to arrive at the Mounting Systems Stadium by 7.15pm.

Travel costs for the Valley Bar Seadogs service are £8 for adult members and £4 for junior members, while non-members will pay £10 for adults and £5 for juniors (16 and under). Membership to the Valley Bar Sea Dogs costs £10 for the season, which then qualifies members for the reduced fares. Booking can be done via the Valley Bar Seadogs Booking Travel Club Hotline at 07598931572 or through their website. 

Matthew Gaddon says that for the rest of the season the coaches will follow a regular pattern.

"For Saturdays, we'll be leaving about quarter past one. If we've got multiple buses, we'll have one leaving from the train station and one leaving from the sports village.

We'll try and divert through Eastfield if there's any demand and also through Filey.

Obviously there's free parking down at the Sports Village for those that want to park the cars down there. and then for evening games, we'll be setting off at, half past six, going directly to the stadium and then coming straight back home.

Admission prices for tonight's match itself are reduced from the normal league rates:

• Adults: £8
• Concession (65+, students, armed forces personnel): £6
• Youths (13-17 years inclusive): £3
• Kids aged 12 and under: £1 (when accompanied by a paying adult)

The "Kids for a Quid" initiative is sponsored in memory of Gary Ledden, and all children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible, paying adult. Proof of concessionary rates requires a valid photographic ID. Admission is "all pay on the gate," accepting both cash and card.

For those travelling by car, parking is available at the Mounting Systems Stadium on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, supporters are advised to use the large pay and display car park on Moorfield Road, Bridlington, which is a two-minute walk from the stadium and offers free parking after 6pm. The club recommends car sharing or using public transport where possible. Bridlington railway station is also a 10-minute walk from the ground, and service buses run between Scarborough and Bridlington, with a stop just a two-minute walk from the stadium.