Newark and Sherwood United in the United Counties League Premier Division North to play next season at Harrowby United after its ground sharing agreement with Collingham Football Club comes to an end
Officials from a football club have ended speculation after confirming a new home for next season — but it is away from the district that bears its name.
Newark and Sherwood United, who won the Nottinghamshire County Cup last season, will play next season at Harrowby in Grantham.
They have been sharing facilities at Collingham Football Club for two seasons.
But last month, they were told they would have to find a new ground because Collingham needed the pitch for their growing club.
“Following two seasons of ground sharing at Station Road Collingham the Highwaymen are on the road again as the next chapter for the club unfolds,” said a spokesman for Newark and Sherwood United.
“With no available capacity in Newark, we received invitations from three other clubs outside of the Newark area.
“We are very pleased to announce that we have agreed a groundshare with Harrowby United FC at their Grantham-based ground.
“The club have recently upgraded their changing facilities and added an additional second covered stand to create an excellent match day facility.
“Chairman Mick Atter and his experienced team of volunteers have made us very welcome.
“We look forward to working with them and delivering an excellent matchday experience for our existing supporters and new additions.
“Our longer-term aim is to relocate to a permanent stadium in Newark and work on that is ongoing.
“The recently announced playing pitch strategy for Newark and Sherwood demonstrates the benefits that better sporting facilities can deliver.
“We were pleased that these benefits were fully recognised and supported by the district council, and that the stadium project is part of this wider initiative to raise the standard and availability of facilities across the whole district.
“We are also pleased to announce that our key sponsors, Gusto Group, Rototek, The Consulting room, BOSH!, Shakespeare Martineau, Forum Computers and LW Barker Transport have committed to continue supporting the club in this next chapter of our journey.”
The Step Five club have struggled to find a permanent place to play football after the closure of their Lowfields ground at Balderton.
Since then they have spent a season playing at Basford in Nottingham before moving to Collingham.
The club finished 12th after finishing their latest season in United Counties League Premier Division North.
Collingham, who play in the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division, said it could not extend the agreement with United because their ground was at capacity as it develops its own teams, from under-sixes to seniors.
Its committee said it “was not prepared to ask our members to play at other venues while accommodating non-Collingham FC teams in their place”.