Club with oldest stand could become community owned

A football club with a stand said to be the oldest in the world could become community owned.

Wellesley Recreation Ground in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been the home of the town's football club since the 1880s and its Victorian stand is still used by supporters.

The site, which also includes an athletics track, is owned by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, which is considering its future.

Jack Jay, president of the town's club, said work has already begun to prepare a bid to take ownership of the grounds through a community interest company (CIC), which he says could unlock its potential.

He said: "This would give us the opportunity to really push this site forward and explore some really exciting long-term investment and funding opportunities.

"It is home to the world's oldest football stand still in use and it is here tucked away in Great Yarmouth, the potential is enormous."

Jay added that if successful, future projects could include creating a new community building to replace the current clubhouse while also creating more opportunities to support youngsters to develop their football and athletics talent.

Known as the Bloaters, the club's first team currently plays in the Eastern Counties League premier division, which is step five in the non-league pyramid.

Gorleston Football Club has also been playing its home games there in recent years as it waits to secure the opening of a new grounds in the neighbouring town.

The club has a growing number of youth teams, which currently stands at 14, as well as a women's team.

A spokesperson for the council said: "The Wellesley Recreation Ground is a much-loved community asset in Great Yarmouth and has long served as the home of Great Yarmouth Town Football Club, as well as being the temporary base for Gorleston FC and the home of two athletics clubs.

''The council is now actively working with local stakeholders on a feasibility study to explore how the Wellesley might be best used to make the most of the fantastic facilities already in place."

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