Clyde FC’s proposed move back to Rutherglen looks to be dead in the water after Glencairn said they were no longer in negotiations about the possibility of groundsharing.
The junior club claim they haven’t been contacted by the Bully Wee since a meeting in November, and will now pursue “other avenues” to develop the Clyde Gateway Stadium.
The news comes as rumours surface about Clyde moving to a purpose built stadium in East Kilbride.
Clyde say a return to their spiritual home is still an option, with club members set to discuss the proposals before this week’s match with Queen’s Park.
But Glens club president, Alex McArthur said any plans to bring the club back to Rutherglen would not include them.
He said: “Glencairn are going to pursue other avenues in order to take the club forward. We will be looking at obtaining grants and funding to create a community club and a hub for the area.
“I think it (Clyde’s proposed move) is dead in the water. We have had no communication with Clyde since November. It’s disappointing the way business has been conducted.
“I’d say Rutherglen Glencairn are no longer entering into negotiations with Clyde FC. I don’t know if Clyde want to resurrect this. I’m flummoxed for an answer, but we now need to protect the Glens. The most important thing is Glencairn and the Rutherglen community.”
Clyde originally entered into an agreement with the Glens in August to look at developing the Clyde Gateway Stadium to bring it up to senior standard and create a sports hub in Burnhill.
But it is understood the Glencairn committee were unhappy the initial plans included a purpose built stadium on the Burnhill parks. Clyde have a similar agreement with East Kilbride Thistle and their Showpark Stadium but it is believed the club are now looking at a new stadium set to be built in the Langlands area of the new town.
The East Kilbride Community Trust, who are behind plans for the stadium, confirmed Clyde were one of several clubs interested.
The Reformer contacted Clyde director, John Taylor before the Glens’ statement, and he insisted Rutherglen was still an option.
But when asked if the club were looking at other sites in EK as opposed to the Showpark, he said: “I think it’s more likely to be elsewhere.” Eric Lennon, chair of the Castlemilk branch of the Clyde Supporters Association, said he’d be “disappointed” if Rutherglen was no longer an option, but added: “As far as I see it, it’s not yet dead.
“I haven’t seen the detailed plans but in my opinion the location at Langlands does not measure up to the Showpark which has good transport links and facilities around about it. It was the same scenario at Cumbernauld when we were told the stadium would generate development around it.”
Clyde played their last game in Rutherglen in 1986.
