Ripon City AFC, has announced plans to move from its Mallorie Park ground and create a new custom-built facility elsewhere in the city.
The club, which celebrates its 125th anniversary next year, has been playing at the ground for more than 100 years.
But a long-held ambition to find a more suitable location is now taking shape, following a formal offer to acquire the site made by an unnamed care home operator.
Club secretary and former player Daniel Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret:
“We’ve been looking elsewhere for many years and by drawing up and publishing plans on our website, we are signalling our serious intent.
“This is the first major piece in our jigsaw and there are many hurdles to cross, but we are determined to create a new place to call home and see the club thrive over the next 100-plus years.”
He added:
“A shortlist of potential locations has been drawn up, but the move will only take place when we have a new site with all necessary planning and other approvals in place.”
Ripon City AFC’s Mallorie Park ground
On its website, where initial draft plans can be viewed, the club says its privately-owned ground:
“Has significant challenges across a number of areas such as lack of security, unauthorised use, criminal behaviour (drug dealing, drug use and violent crime), criminal damage, limited to one pitch and more importantly restrictions on improvements.”
As a not-for-profit community amateur sports club run by volunteers, Ripon City AFC plans to use proceeds from the sale of its ground to develop new facilities and states on its website:
“The aspirations for our new facility will be a purpose-built, secure facility with a floodlit 3G pitch, a floodlit grass pitch, seated stands, multipurpose clubhouse containing community and event spaces with bar and catering facilities, fully accessible changing spaces and a first-floor housing classrooms and office space.”
Ripon AFC accepts that its plans will not have unanimous support, saying:
“We appreciate that not everyone will be supportive of our proposals.”
It does, however, add:
“The proposed facilities will be a game changer for sport (not just football) in Ripon and the wider district.
“A new facility would also support the club to grow on and off the pitch to ensure that we survive for another 125 years.”
The 150-member club, has 100 registered players in teams that compete in the West Yorkshire League, Harrogate and District Premier League, the North East Regional Women’s Football League and the Harrogate and District Junior Football League.
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