Clyde to remain in Cumbernauld
Club commits to five-year deal at Broadwood
Hopes of Clyde returning to Rutherglen have been dealt a massive blow after it was revealed the club had signed an agreement to stay at Broadwood for the next five years.
Earlier this month, after being approached by the Reformer, the club board went public with information that they were looking at a potential site at Cuningar Loop for a purposebuilt stadium.
The Reformer also revealed a second group were also involved in plans to bring the Bully Wee home to the Burgh.
But the club have now committed to staying in Cumbernauld for the foreseeable future.
Talks are also ongoing with North Lanarkshire Leisure ( NLL), who own the stadium, over a permanent arrangement, although they insist they are continuing to consider other sites.
Clyde vice-chairman John Taylor refused to rule out the Rutherglen move, said: “The new management team at NLL have shown a real commitment to the club over the last six months, and the deal gives both parties the opportunity to develop a new and more productive relationship.
“Meanwhile, with the full knowledge of NLL, we continue to pursue opportunities at three other potential locations, all designed to achieve to the club’s objective of securing a sustainable business and community model to safeguard the club’s future.”
He added:“Negotiations regarding the alignment of the club objectives with that of NLL are ongoing.
“These will remain confidential but NLL understand that if a sustainable business and community model can be established at Broadwood then there would be no need to leave an excellent stadium, which can rightly claim to be a developing and vibrant sporting community hub.”
Clyde moved out of Shawfield in 1986 and spent eight years without a home before moving in to Broadwood in 1994.
However, rumours of Clyde moving again have never went away with many fans still seeing Rutherglen as their spiritual home.
Clyde Gateway confirmed this month that two parties had approached them about the Cuningar site.
A previous attempt to groundshare with Rutherglen Glencairn also fell through along with other attempts to team up with other junior clubs.
Of the latest news, manager Barry Ferguson said: “From a playing perspective, we are delighted to be remaining here at Broadwood and using the excellent facilities this stadium offers. It’s a great place to play football and we are looking forward to the future.”