New £4m project set to bring one football club back to its former home for first time in 40 years

Gorleston FC could be set for an emotional return to its former home after more than four decades away, with plans for a new £4 million stadium moving closer to approval.

Councillors in Great Yarmouth are expected to back the project, which would provide the eighth-tier club with a permanent home and new facilities.

Local council set to approve new Gorleston FC stadium

Plans for the new ground on the Recreation Ground in Church Lane include a full-sized 3G pitch, floodlights, clubhouse, changing facilities, bar and cafe.

The stadium would have an overall capacity of 1,300, including two stands providing around 600 seats, while the facilities would also support youth football in the local community.

Gorleston have been homeless since 2022, when they were forced to leave Emerald Park after its owners opted to develop the site for housing.

The club currently plays at Great Yarmouth's Wellesley Stadium but has been working with the borough council on a return to the Recreation Ground, where they last played in 1982.

The proposals have attracted some opposition, particularly over noise, parking and the loss of open recreational land. However, more than 400 letters of support have reportedly been submitted, compared with 55 objections.

Council officials have described the plans as a “clear improvement” to the existing facilities and highlighted the potential for new jobs and greater opportunities for youth football.

A proposed condition would also prevent the 3G pitch being used between 10.15pm and 8am to address noise concerns.

Councillors are expected to approve the plans next Wednesday, according to reports.

FGG says: This would give a homeless club a long-awaited new beginning

This feels like exactly the sort of project that can make a genuine difference to a local football club and its community.

Gorleston have spent four years without a permanent home, so returning to the Recreation Ground with a modern stadium would give the club some much-needed stability.

There are legitimate concerns around losing open space and the impact on nearby residents, but the strong level of local support shows how much appetite there is for the development.