NORTHERN Counties East League side Hull United could be forced to play the rest of their games this season away from home.
The Citizens, managed by former Premier League midfielder and boxing champion Curtis Woodhouse, started playing their matches at Rugby League side Hull KR’s KC Lightstream Stadium after falling out with the landlords of former home Dene Park.
They made the 12,225 capacity stadium their home in November but left in mid-January after the running costs became too high for the Step 6 side.
They proposed a groundshare with Brigg Town but the NCEL rejected the move and now say the club will have to play their remaining games away from home if they cannot find a suitable ground to host matches.
A league statement read: “Following the loss of their home ground at Hull KR Rugby League Stadium, Hull United FC have been in talks with a number of member clubs and other parties to investigate the possibility of securing tenure, either ground-share or wholly, to play their home games.
“They presented to the League Management Board a proposed ground-share agreement with Brigg Town FC which was carefully considered by the board.
“After due diligence, this request was refused since it was considered not to be in the best overall interest of the competition and its member clubs.
“In view of the above factors, the League Management Board carefully considered all options and decided under Rule 8.17 to request Hull United FC to play their fixtures away from home until the end of the season or until as such time that they can offer a suitable ground that meets the ground criteria required.”
United have also been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, Nicky McNamara, in their 2-0 win over Hallam, and a club statement added: “This has been a very frustrating period, but we are working very hard to secure our future within the Hull boundary.
“We are currently negotiating on a site in the city that has everything apart from floodlights, the site does have approved planning to put floodlights up, so we hope to have some news on a new ground very soon.”
