Burscough FC to return to Victoria Park this weekend, and “for the foreseeable future”, says chairman Gary Wright

Feb 2 2012 by Neil Jones, Ormskirk Advertiser

BURSCOUGH will make a long-overdue return to Victoria Park this weekend – with chairman Gary Wright promising that the club’s next move will be to a new stadium within the town.

This season, the Linnets have been forced to play their home matches at Skelmersdale United’s ground – some eight miles away – with owners Chequer Properties planning on selling the Victoria Park site.

Burscough had agreed to play at Skem’s Stormy Corner ground for the 2011-12 campaign, with the option of another year.

But with negotiations between Chequer and interested parties having stalled, the Greens will return home for Saturday’s Evo-Stik League Premier Division clash with Hednesford Town and, according to chairman Wright, will be there for “the foreseeable future”.

“We’re very pleased,” said Wright. “We had an inspection from the Evo-Stik League on Monday morning, and they made a couple of recommendations – such as the installation of a first-aid sign – which will be in place before Saturday.”

A planning application for a proposed new ground on Abbey Lane is due to be submitted later this month, with Wright adding: “Our next move will be to our new ground in the Burscough area.”

The move to Skelmersdale, announced in the summer, had caused serious divisions within the club’s fanbase, with the loyal official supporters’ club withdrawing its funding as a consequence.

Wright said: “We intend to sit down with the supporters’ club in the next couple of weeks. I’m sure there can be an amicable discussion.”