Tigers home by 2010

Plans to bring Gloucester City Football Club back home have taken a step closer to reality.

The Tigers aim to be back in the city by the start of the 2010 season – in a new stadium.

A return to Meadow Park in Submeadow Road is one of the options which was discussed at a meeting of the city council's football task and finish group.

The other would see a new ground and training facilities built near The Crypt School at Blackbridge off Podsmead Road.

The team currently plays its home games 20 miles away in Cirencester at the Corinium Stadium. Players train during the week at Hartpury College after their ground at Meadow Park was flooded for the third time in 15 years back in July 2007.

But Dave Phillips , chairman of Gloucester City said: "The team are doing well this season and we thank Cirencester Town for their hospitality in allowing the Tigers to play home games at the Corinium Stadium.

"It is the club's intention to return to playing home games at a new stadium in Gloucester during the 2010/11 season."

The club has been working closely with the city council to find a new home for the Tigers.

Paul Duncliffe, planning consultant for Gloucester City FC said: "A number of potential sites for a new stadium have received detailed consideration and we are now looking at a shortlist of sites.

"It is too early to confirm the actual site that the club will progress to a planning application, but we are working hard to advance this important project."

Coun Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) is chair of the cross-party football task group.

He said everything was being done to bring the Tigers home.

" I am confident that we are making progress," he said.

The task group also agreed to invite the city MP Parmjit Dhanda to the next meeting, which will be on June 11.

The meeting comes as Tigers legend Leroy Rosenior has lent his support to the campaign to bring the team back to the city.

Leroy, who managed the Tigers during the 1990s, said: "The fans have suffered enough.

"It is ridiculous they haven't got a home. They have fantastic supporters who back the club through thick and thin."