Clyde Football Club say they intend to return to Glasgow in the coming years after confirming they will ground share with Lanarkshire rivals Hamilton Accies next season.
Lanarkshire Live exclusively revealed on Thursday night that the clubs had struck a deal to share Hamilton's New Douglas Park, in a move that will come into force from the start of next season in July.
It's the second time in the clubs' history that they will have shared premises.
Earlier this year North Lanarkshire Council - who own Clyde's current home ground at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld - told the club they would not be renewing their lease when it expired in May 2023, amid the well-documented public row regarding the David Goodwillie transfer to Raith Rovers.
Goodwillie - who was ruled a rapist in a civil court case in 2017 - was banned from entering Broadwood Stadium by NLC after Clyde re-signed the player on loan from Raith just days after he had left the Bully Wee. Goodwillie has not played for either club since.
But Clyde have now stated their intention to vacate their lease at the end of this season in favour of a move across Lanarkshire, whilst planning to "secure a site and new stadium back in Glasgow" - 36 years on from leaving their spirtiual home at Shawfield.
Between 1991-1994, Accies shared the old Douglas Park with Clyde while they waited for work to be completed at Broadwood.
While their short-term future lies in South Lanarkshire, the club announced in their statement that they looking for a return to Glasgow eventually, although no timescale has been given.
Clyde's statement read: "Clyde Football Club will, imminently, be issuing a notice to North Lanarkshire Council terminating its lease at Broadwood.
"Consequently, the upcoming fixture against Airdrieonians, on the 23rd April, will be our last match at the stadium.
"It is widely known that the club had begun developing a proposal to relocate to a stadium of its own.
"Although we had fully expected to continue the process at a pace of our own choosing, North Lanarkshire Council has now confirmed that it will not consider extending the club’s lease at Broadwood on a permanent basis beyond the end of season 2022/23, when the current arrangement was due for renewal.
"Given the need to meet the club’s immediate operating requirements, the board has arranged with Hamilton Academical to play our home matches at New Douglas Park while we accelerate the process to secure a site and new stadium back in Glasgow.
"All of the club’s activities delivered through the Clyde Foundation will be unaffected.
"The Board is immensely grateful to Hamilton Academical for their co-operation and the efficiency with which this deal is being finalised."
A Hamilton club statement read: "The club can confirm that we have reached an agreement with Clyde FC which will see the side play their home matches at our very own New Douglas Park.
"The deal in question was signed by representatives of both clubs earlier today and will begin at the start of next season.
"We look forward to welcoming The Bully Wee to New Douglas Park."
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