Scarborough Athletic wants to return home, and is proud to announce the launch of a scheme to help achieve just that.

The Back2Boro fund has two main objectives: continue to raise awareness of the club's lack of permanent home, and to raise funds to help finance the return home to the borough of Scarborough.

Athletic have been playing their football at Bridlington Town's Queensgate Stadium since formation in 2007, when Scarborough FC was liquidated.

While the McCain Stadium lies unused and largely condemned, and Scarborough Council continues to investigate provision for a sustainable sports facility in the town, Athletic have been hugely successful at Bridlington, both on and off the field.

The club won the NCEL first division title last season, and has averaged around 500 fans at home games.

The 35-mile round-trip along the coast has not put supporters off, and the club has gone from strength to strength.

The supporters' Society which owns and runs the club now boasts a membership over 550.

Club communications director and Back2Boro co-ordinator James Hunter said: "The club is 100% behind Scarborough Council and their vision of a new sports village complex within the town, possibly at Weaponness Valley.

"We will do all we can to help the council achieve their goal of providing a community facility for Scarborough.

"However, we understand that the current financial climate gives an uncertain time-scale for a large development, and having been away from town for the best part of three years it is prudent that we plan ahead.

"We have also had offers from George Pindar Sports College, and other possibilities emerge from time to time.

"We have to make sure we do what is best for the football club.

"Therefore the Back2Boro fund has been set-up to not only raise further awareness both locally and nationally of our ambition, but also to raise funds which will ultimately help with the club's return home.

"Those funds will be ring-fenced away from Scarborough Athletic FC itself, and a voluntary committee put in place to set-up events and put ideas in place to raise funds.

"The funds may be invested in facilities or equipment at a council-built stadium or may finance the planning and building of a brand new stadium for the club.

"When the time comes to make that decision, it will mean Boro have a chance to return home and the fund will be there to help. I for one cannot wait for that to occur."

The club has set up a new website at www.back2boro.co.uk, through which supporters and others who would like to see our senior football club return to Scarborough can make donations to the scheme, send ideas for fundraising, and get the latest news of the success of the scheme.

An open forum has also been organised for November 27th at Scarborough Bowls Centre to discuss the best ways of ensuring success for the scheme, without distracting from the success of the club itself.

This forum follows the club's annual AGM which begins at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come along and have their say.

Further details of the scheme are available via email on back2boro@googlemail.com or by contacting James Hunter on 07787 563748.