Clyde blow as Crownpoint stadium bid kicked out

Clyde have seen their plans to move to a new stadium suffer a huge setback after Glasgow City Council rejected their proposal to take over the Crownpoint Sports Complex.

And the charity behind the Bully Wee’s project – Clyde FC Community Foundation – say they are “unconvinced by the rationale given by the Local Authority” for kicking out their plans.

The Bully Wee are currently groundsharing with League One Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park and were hopeful of obtaining the keys from the council to use the site near the Gallowgate in Glasgow, almost four decades on from leaving their spiritual home at Shawfield.

However, they faced a rival bid from Finnart Football Academy and they have been given the green light to proceed to the next stage of the process, leaving Clyde looking at alternatives.

Proposals were submitted back in June, with the decision originally expected in September before being pushed back.

A statement from the Clyde FC Community Foundation, which was emailed to club members last week, read: “The Clyde FC Community Foundation has been informed by Glasgow City Council that the bid for Crownpoint Sports Complex will not proceed to the next stage.

“Whilst we are disappointed by the decision, and unconvinced by the rationale given by the Local Authority, this is by no means a terminal blow to our aspiration to return to the city.

“We will now take stock and consider all available options including alternative sites identified during the process.

“Glasgow City Council have reaffirmed their commitment to assist us in identifying and securing a suitable site and we will be engaging with them in the coming weeks to this end.”

The club had intended to establish a full-size and five-a-side pitches, athletics