Fans angry as news comes out on York City’s new stadium

Fans have been left angry this week as news comes out on York City‘s new stadium, and when they could potentially move in to it.

The Minstermen’s new 8,005 LNER Stadium started it’s build in 2017, on site construction was due for completion by end of 2019, and test events were expected for early 2020.

However, drainage issues at the new ground means that the stadium has been delayed yet again, this time until Christmas, the building company has said.

Lots of progress on the @YorkStadium – here’s a look into our new home.

? On site construction due for completion by end of year.
?️ Test events taking place early 2020.#YCFC ?? pic.twitter.com/g1m631Kdn6

— York City FC (@YorkCityFC) November 19, 2019

The company behind the new LNER Community Stadium build, GLL, said that drainage issue has been identified by the contractor – and have put the project back. Another blow for the National League North side.

A spokesperson for GLL said: “We have been working with our building contractor, Buckingham Group, to complete the Community Stadium & Leisure Complex. The vast majority of the complex is finished, but as part of the sign off process, a number of issues with the drainage system have been identified. The building contractor will need to put these right before the complex can be handed over to GLL.

“It is envisaged that these works and commissioning the final building will take us up to the Christmas period; the building contractors are working hard to minimise this timeframe.

“We apologise for what is a further delay to the opening programme.

“We, like the community of York, desperately want to see the Stadium and Leisure Complex open and providing the sport, physical activity and wellbeing programmes that it has been designed for.”

The stadium has been delayed several times since the pandemic.

Until the Community Stadium is a fully licensed venue, the club cannot consider a move from Bootham Crescent.

Meanwhile, Boston United were back in training ahead of this weekend’s game, which could end up being the penultimate fixture played at Gainsborough with a move to the new Community Stadium (aka The Quadrant) edging ever closer.

The Pilgrims’ re-arranged fixture against Guiseley will take place this upcoming Tuesday and with that encounter being followed by away matches at Southport and Bradford Park Avenue, United could look to move into their new home ahead of their subsequent home clash, which is currently scheduled for the 17th of November against Kettering Town.

As mentioned, fans are angry as news comes out on York City’s new stadium and when they could move in…

YCFChonestfan: Its what ycfc deserve. Those running the club are shambolic

millfieldboy: what a stupid remark it affects the whole of the club including the fans

nearlyman: It seems a bit of a fundamental to me. How could it happen just now?

tridentman: UNBELIEVABLE , every day is April Fools

dug56: This is an absolute joke & a disgrace. All of those involved should hang their heads in shame, particularly COYC & the main contractors. Are there not any penalty clauses for the delays?. If not, why not.

eyeofyork: With you Dug56 – if there were any penalty clauses I think they would have just about covered the build costs by now!

Boristhebigbadspider: COYC did not appoint the contractor – that was GLL and they need to take the blame along with the contactors. The big error COYC made was letting GLL deliver the stadium and it was James Alexander’s Labour council that did that.

YCFChonestfan: Why are the council building the stadium in the first place. The club had a ground and due to their own actions essentially became homeless. Hardly a council problem.

Malcolm: True, not a council problem. YCFC’s dilemma could have been resolved by a wealthy fan stepping forward to build a new stadium for them but you didn’t step forward, did you YCFChonestfan.

Freeman: This happened when the Rugby ground was first built there, it is on a bed of clay. Don’t planners ever learn

Tony Fisher: You know all about the the subsoil conditions, do you?
As one of those who developed the old Ryedale Stadium, I can assure you that there were no drainage issues at that stadium after 1990.
The pitch had to be dug up and the drains re-laid solely because of an error by a surveyor working for Peter Birse (the contractors) and they paid for it all. The error led to some drains flowing upwards and had nothing to do with the soil conditions.