YORK City stadium development director Ian McAndrew is hoping that the club can begin their new season playing at the LNER Community Stadium.

The club’s move to the Monks Cross ground continues to be delayed as test events must first take place but social distancing guidelines have meant that they cannot currently be rescheduled.

However, writing in his programme notes for last weekend’s game against Altrincham, McAndrew said that he hoped City would begin the 2020/21 season in their new home.

“The relocation from Bootham Crescent to the LNER Community Stadium has been delayed,” McAndrew said.

“The inability of the council, due to Covid-19, to achieve certification for the new stadium has, for obvious reasons, added further delays and is very frustrating for all concerned.

“Hopefully by the start of a new season whenever that may be, we will be playing at the LNER Community Stadium however we don’t know when that new season may start. Nor do we know when the club can move to its new office facilities.

“There are also uncertainties around next season, when it will start, if we will be playing behind closed doors initially or whether there will be limitations on capacity due to social distancing.

“Obviously we cannot leave Bootham Crescent or begin (to) until such time as the new stadium is available to us although that does not stop work with Persimmon Homes progressing to the next stage.

“We are hoping that the planning application, which is in joint names of the club and the developer, can be presented to the City of York Council Planning Committee in the very near future seeking approval for the scheme that is now proposed following lengthy consultations and negotiations with all the many parties and council officers involved.

“We are not the only ones that the virus affects as it has certainly created issues for the planning committee as they currently have to meet virtually and this results in smaller numbers of agenda items for any one meeting."