FOOTBALL: Bassett to groundshare with Cirencester (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

FOOTBALL: Bassett to groundshare with Cirencester

1:17pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport

WOOTTON Bassett Town will groundshare with Cirencester Town from the beginning of the 2013/14 season after agreeing a two-year deal.

Wootton Bassett are looking for a temporary base after selling their Rylands Way site for housing to Persimmon Homes.

A new hub for a variety of Wootton Bassett sports clubs is being developed at nearby Ballards Ash just south of the M4.

Wootton Bassett RFC, who sold their Stoneover Lane ground to Taylor Wimpey, have already moved and the football, cricket and tennis clubs will use land opposite the rugby facility at Ballards Ash, bringing the entire site up to approximately 40 acres.

Wootton Bassett Town FC expect work to start on their new ground at the end of the current season.

Cirencester are to plough the extra cash into an extension to the club’s Barbican Suite and the fitting of a new environmentally friendly boiler and heating system.

“We have been talking to Wootton Bassett since last summer but have only just signed the deal,” said Centurions chairman Steve Abbley.

“Their Persimmon deal was done five years ago but had been put on hold due to the financial climate and has only recently been resurrected.

“We have signed a two-year agreement, although Wootton Bassett are hoping to move into their new home around Christmas 2014.

“They will play at least a season and a half at the Corinium and that includes all their pre-season games.

“A confidentiality agreement prevents me from revealing how much rent we are getting but it is a chunky sum and more than (previous tenants) Gloucester City used to pay us.”

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