Boston to play in Gainsborough until new stadium is ready

Boston United look set to play the first home games of the season at Gainsborough Trinity’s stadium while they wait for their new stadium to be finished.

The Pilgrims moved out of York Street after the final game of the 2019/20 season, a dramatic play-off final defeat to Altrincham.

The loss meant that Boston will have to spend another campaign in the Vanarama National League North.

The club left York Street to move into a new ground that is being built at The Quadrant development, but the chairman fears it may not be ready to move into yet.

In a statement on Wednesday, Boston chairman David Newton said that “most” of the work would be completed in time for October 3, the potential first home fixture of the season.

“Construction work on the new stadium is progressing well, but has of course been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in slightly slower progress than under ‘normal’ circumstances and we have (and continue to be) affected by material shortages, longer delivery periods and some labour shortages.

David Newton did say that these delays would only be a few weeks at most, and once the stadium is finished the club will update fans on selling season tickets.

“We are on track to have most of the work completed for October 3, however we are less certain to have all the necessary service connections completed in time for the extensive testing of the mechanical and electrical installations – and the completion and testing of the floodlights and the lifts.

The temporary move into Northolme Stadium, Gainsborough, hasn’t been confirmed yet as fixtures have not yet been released.

“I say ‘potentially’ as we do not yet know the fixtures and we could have a situation where we are drawn away from home in the FA Cup fixture(s) and our first league games are scheduled away from home, so the scenario may not arise.

“However, we need to make sure we are prepared for the possibility of ‘home’ fixtures, so we are grateful to Richard Kane, chairman of Gainsborough Trinity, for allowing that option for us.”