Stands to be demolished at derelict town soccer ground

Concerns have been raised about the state of the former stadium of Scarborough Football Club and plans have now been drawn up to raze two stands and the clubhouse to the ground.

Scarborough Council is expected to give the go-ahead next week for the unsafe structures to be demolished, as well as releasing a 70,000 fund to pay for the work on the site in Seamer Road.

The council's portfolio holder for harbours, land and assets, Peter Popple, said: "The vandalism at the site has been causing concern for both the council and nearby residents and action will have to be taken to address the problems."

Scarborough FC was one of the oldest football clubs in the country after it was formed in 1879 and was based at Seamer Road from 1898. But it was wound up at Leeds High Court in June 2007 owing 2.1m to creditors, as well as a further 400,000 costs which had been run up before the organisation finally went bust.

Council officers have noted that the former stadium was in a "very poor condition" when the local authority bought back the ground following the club's demise.

But the state of the site has deteriorated even further after trespassers have repeatedly broken in and carried out a campaign of vandalism and thefts.

The main stand, the clubhouse and the old "shed" stand will all be demolished if councillors approve the plans on Wednesday next week .

Hopes of selling off two newer stands have faltered, although the council is due to retain the structures as well as the former stadium's floodlights.

But council officers have noted that there is still a risk of the newer stands being broken into and access points are now due to be sealed off with brickwork.

A covenant means that the Seamer Road site has to be retained for use as a community sports facility, unless another similar site is provided.

Although the historic club has been consigned to history, the resort has a new fledgling side called Scarborough Athletic which was formed in the summer of 2007.