Clyde could be back in town
Club C confirm they are looking at Cuningar site
Two groups are working on plans to bring Clyde back to Rutherglen 30 years after the club left the town, the Reformer can exclusively reveal.
The current board have made an approach to Clyde Gateway to investigate the possibility of building a new stadium on Cuningar Loop.
It is understood the move came after a rival group also approached the urban regeneration company about the Cuningar Loop site.
Clyde made their approach public on Friday night after being contacted by the Reformer.
Both plans are believed to be at an early stage.
The group working independently of the club is made up of former officials and players concerned about the future of the Bully Wee.
A spokesperson for Clyde Gateway said: “We have received approaches from two parties associated with Clyde Football Club and we have provided them with some relevant, technical information about potential sites.
“We are waiting for them to come back to us as we would with any potential investor.”
In a statement on their website on Friday night, Clyde confirmed their board had made an approach.
They said: “We can confirm that we have engaged in exploratory talks with Clyde Gateway, the owners of Cuningar Loop, about the building of a purpose built stadium designed for extensive community use.
“We have a long way to go here as the site is not without its issues and having the right partners is essential when dealing with a major site that is contaminated and requires remediation and subsequent construction.
“The club, through its discussions with Clyde Gateway, has been able to bring together an extensive portfolio of appropriate light infrastructure stadium drawings, suited to the land available. If the project plan is successful it has the potential to provide the opportunity for an independent future for the club.”
Despite the move, the statement said remaining at Broadwood was a realistic option after a change in management at North Lanarkshire Leisure, who own the ground, led to a thaw in relations with the club.
It was also revealed two other sites were being looked at, one of which is “an existing stadium that has no current senior or junior activity,” although this is unlikely to mean a potential return to Shawfield.
South Lanarkshire Council leader Eddie McAvoy told the Reformer he would welcome any moves to bring the club home.
He said: “We will do whatever we can to bring them back.
“If Clyde can come up with a business plan and a site we will support them fully.”
The Cuningar Loop site is to the south of the woodland park which opened earlier this year. The land is owned by Clyde Gateway.
A previous plan to turn it into a zoo attraction fell through.
The Reformer understands the site would require significant work before it could support a heavy structure such as a football stadium.
Clyde have been in exile from their spiritual home for the past 30 years having left Shawfield in 1986.
After spells in Partick and Hamilton, they eventually settled in Cumbernauld.
Last month, former Scotland boss Craig Brown, who was manager for Clyde’s last season at Shawfield, told the Reformer it would be “too good to be true” if the club returned the Royal Burgh.
A previous proposal to groundshare with Rutherglen Glencairn fell through while options to go into partnership with East Kilbride Thistle were also explored.
Only last year Clyde said they hoped to be groundsharing with Shettleston Juniors by the start of this season but Clyde confirmed last week that was no longer as option.