Clyde hopeful of new stadium approval by summer

Clyde will host Aberdeen at Hamilton's ZLX Stadium on Friday

Clyde hope to have approval by the summer for a new ground in the east end of Glasgow.

Chairman Gordon Thomson says talks continue with the City Council, after a move to Crownpoint fell through, and he hopes to have "positive news" before the start of next season.

The Bully Wee left Shawfield in the mid-1980s and have been tenants at various grounds ever since.

Thomson told BBC Scotland: "We're determined to get a home in Glasgow.

"We want to work with Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life in order to identify the right site so that we can become part of a community again.

"We would want that as close as we can to our ancestral home at Shawfield. That's where Clyde should be, that part of Glasgow, and we want to do our best to get back as close as we can to there.

"We were disappointed when we couldn't get Crownpoint. Within 24 hours we were back round the table with Glasgow City to see where else we could go. We've got to do what's best for the club and what can give us a secure future."

The club are preparing to host Aberdeen at New Douglas Park in the BBC live Scottish Cup tie on Friday night, and hope to preserve their status in the SPFL despite currently being adrift at the bottom of League Two.

Clyde played at Shawfield from 1898 until 1986 but did not own the land or stadium so were forced to move when it was put up for sale.

In the intervening years, they have played at Firhill, Douglas Park and their current 'home', New Douglas Park, which is shared with Hamilton Academical. Before that, of course, there was the near-30-year stint at Broadwood in Cumbernauld.

Thomson is adamant the club's future now lies in Glasgow, although the new stadium in the city's East End won't spring up overnight.

"Realistically, if all went according to plan, it could be two or three years away," he added.

"That's why a Scottish Cup tie like against Aberdeen is so vital for us because it brings in income. When you don't have your own ground, you don't have the ability to raise income from Sunday to Friday. You're relying on one day's income and that is a tough, tough call for us."

So how confident is Thomson that his club will be playing in a new stadium in Glasgow's East End in 2026 or 2027?

"I've got to be positive and we have to work to that because it's so important for the club," he added.

"It is about our future. We've got a proud history, we've won the Scottish Cup three times. We've had success, there have been many talented players who've played for Clyde and we want to keep that going."