Boston United receive green light to play home games at new Jakemans Community Stadium

Boston United's next home game will be their first ever at the Jakemans Community Stadium.

The club have been given the thumbs up to begin playing at their new venue.

The Pilgrims' website confirmed Boston Borough Council building control officers and the National League ground grading team have given the stadium the green light for playing behind-closed-doors.

At present, United's next home game is scheduled to be December 5's arrival of league rivals Chorley.

Chairman David Newton, who first announced plans for the multi-million Quadrant development seven years ago, is 'delighted' to get the seal of approval.

"We are delighted to have the green light to play fixtures at the new Jakemans Community Stadium," he told bufc.co.uk.

"My thanks go to the whole team that have worked so hard to make this day happen. It was always going to be a challenge to build the new facility, but with the additional problems thrown up by the Covid-19 pandemic, I am really pleased that we are now able to play football at the stadium."

While the Pilgrims have released some images of the stadium via social media, Mr Newton wants supporters to be able to be the first to see the place in its full glory, when fans are allowed to return to elite sport.

He added: "My focus has been to give the fans the best possible experience, so it will also be a very sad day as we have to exclude fans under current guidelines. However, once the Covid restrictions allow we will look to let fans in to see the club's new home for themselves, within a Covid-secure environment.

"Some are understandably frustrated that they have not seen the facility, but it is important to me that the fans should be the first to see what we have created, before releasing images on the Internet, so I ask everyone to be patient a little while longer."

United also thanked Gainsborough Trinity for allowing them to groundshare earlier this campaign.

"My sincere thanks go to Richard Kane, who stepped in and allowed us to play at their historic ground," Mr Newton said.

"When the arrangement was put in place, it was really a 'fall-back' just to cover National League requirements and, to be honest, neither of us expected us to play there as the new stadium was on track at that time for an August opening.

"All the staff at The Northolme made us really welcome and could not have been more accommodating, so my thanks also go to them and wish everyone at Gainsborough Trinity all the very best for the remainder of the season."

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