EXILED SYNNERS SEAL A GROUND SWITCH
NORTHERN League Division Two club Billingham Synthonia are to ground-share with Stokesley Sports Club next season.
Synners have been without a permanent home since “unsustainable running and maintenance costs” forced them to leave Central Avenue at the end of the 2016/17 season.
A move to Norton Sports Complex was secured in time for the start of the following season and that has remained their home ever since.
The club have now revealed that they will move to Stokesley at the end of the current campaign after a two-year option to remain at Norton was rejected.
In a statement, Synners admitted moving to North Tyneside was “not ideal for a Billingham club” and confirmed they had held unsuccessful talks with clubs in their hometown.
The club will continue to work behind the scenes to secure a return to Billingham – but are looking forward to their temporary move to a “fantastic” facility at Norton.
Synners chairman Paul Dolan told The NLP: “We are extremely happy to be ground-sharing with Stokesley Sports Club next season.
“It’s a lovely ground with great facilities and great people. Chairman Ted Watts has been a gentleman to deal with and I’m sure the relationship between the two clubs will grow stronger over the coming season.
“Great efforts by the club were made to try and stay in and around the Billingham area, but to no avail.
“So, we are Stokesley bound, and very much looking forward to it.”
Synners played their final game at Norton on Saturday when they faced Division Two play-off rivals Newcastle University before rounding off their season with away games at Birtley Town and Tow Law Town.