A recently published video shows the impressive building progress of Gloucester‘s much needed new stadium within their city.
Yes you read that correct, the National League North club are to finally return home after receiving backing from the council.
The non league club haven’t played football in the town since they were forced out of Meadow Park in 2007 when floods that summer saw the ground almost 8 feet under water.
Gloucester City are famously exiled from their home ground Meadow Park after the 2007 floods. #COYY #Gloucester pic.twitter.com/6t5nFUesWH
— Football Grounds (@YardOfGrass) April 6, 2014
With it being the third time in 17 years that it has happened as well as contamination by sewage water, the club had no choice but to abandon the ground for the foreseeable future.
In between then and now, the have played their ‘home’ games at Forest Green Rovers (2007-08), Cirencester Town (2008-10), Cheltenham Town (2010-17) and their current home Evesham United since 2017.
It’s 13 years since the flood that nearly brought Gloucester City to its knees ?
? Now they are gearing up for their homecoming – and have a generation of lost fans to win back!
Manager @James_Rowe1 talks us through the Tigers’ big return ?
?https://t.co/LOQjnTvgTp pic.twitter.com/iisJ3YrV8I
— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) June 9, 2020
Manager James Rowe is excited on their homecoming and targets a promotion to the top tier of the non league pyramid come the end of the 2020/21 season.
He said to the National League: “There’s a buzz, a genuine excitement that the club is at last coming home.
MEADOW PARK PROGRESS ?
This is going to be the place to be every other weekend, we can’t wait to be back home. ??? pic.twitter.com/ydApce0wuB
— Gloucester City AFC ( at ? ) (@GCAFCofficial) June 11, 2020
“The new stadium has a 3G pitch and it’s our belief that will engage everyone. We not only have a boys’ academy, but a womens’ academy as well. It will be a club again.
“Just take a look at others who have turned their stadium into a community home. Sutton United and Bromley now play in front of big crowds, and Maidstone United – similar to us – were transformed when they returned to the town.
“We’ve lost a generation of fans, but we’re determined to win them back.
“They are there. Yes, Gloucester is a huge rugby city but there are football people in it who have lost out on watching the team for a decade.
“I’m proud to be the one to be managing the club in their first years back and we’re up for the challenge of making up for that lost time.
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“13 years is a long time. Everyone remembers the photos from the flood, but I don’t know if everyone knows the story that followed it – the club left homeless and without a future.
“More than a decade has been lost and now we need to produce a good team and hopefully we can challenge for promotion. That’s our ultimate ambition.
“It’s been a very long road to get Gloucester City back in Gloucester and nobody deserves it more than the club’s loyal fans.
“Even last year at Evesham crowds were over 400. Our core support has always been there and the new ground is right in the city centre by the docks – it’s the perfect location and we can’t wait.”
Fans reacted after seeing a video which shows the impressive progress of Gloucester’s new stadium…
Can’t wait to visit next season with Spennymoor, Gloucester fans were some of the friendliest I met in the league last season. Some top quality signings are going to push you right up the league.
— Stevie G PhD ??????? (@Renegade_Moors) June 7, 2020
The pitch looks massive.
— Adam Whitmore (@GlosCityCyclist) June 11, 2020
Looking forward to the chance of the lads playing here. #GCYDU15
— Video (@V1nny_1974) June 11, 2020
Can’t wait for City to be home ?
— Moodz (@Moodz17) June 11, 2020
It’s going to be Home Sweet Home again. Can’t wait for the new season.
— Tim (@Tim58353553) June 11, 2020
Looks awesome Rob, incredible story for the club and the wider community. Need to see it next time I’m down. Won’t be long now, missing the banter ?❤️⚽️
— Stephen Barr (@MrStephenBarr) May 29, 2020
There were times when I thought it wouldn’t happen. Thirteen years and hopefully football is coming home to Gloucester ⚽️
— Jeremy Hilton (@jeremy4glos) May 30, 2020
Great work all! Need to get down and have a look in.?
— Ben Symons (@Benjosymons1) June 7, 2020
Looking good and pitch already at level six standard ?
— Cycling Spirit (@spirit_cycling) June 10, 2020
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