GRIMSBY Borough's long wait for a permanent home will end a week on Saturday when they officially move into the new Bradley Community Stadium.

Borough, formed just seven years ago, take up residency at the new stadium after sharing Brigg Town's Hawthorns home for the past three seasons.

And their first outing comes in the prestigious FA Vase when they entertain Radcliffe Olympic from the East Midland Counties League on Saturday, September 4.

Borough originally started out at the King George V Stadium before a move to the Grimsby Institute.

A rapid rise through the non-league pyramid saw them forced to look for better facilities after their elevation to Step Six of the league ladder and that prompted the move away to Brigg.

Now the team dubbed The Wilderness Boys will have their own place to call home back in Grimsby in 2010/11 as they look for success in the new Northern Counties East League season.

And Nigel Fanthorpe, who combines with Stephen Newby as the first-team management duo, is delighted at the prospect as the move edges ever nearer.

He said: "We have signed a 10-year licence at the new stadium and 'moved in' on August 1.

"It's an exciting time for all connected with the club after the hard work over the past seven years.

"We've never had our own home ground and have progressed so much.

"We've been working towards this since we formed in 2003 with the help of two former chairman and a variety of people.

"We were originally part of the plans for the stadium years ago but then it stalled.

"But last October we got the call to say the project was back on and now we are getting closer to moving in.

"We asked for the first month's fixtures to be away so there is time to get everything completed. But it's looking really good now.

"This will be a milestone in the club's history and also for Grimsby itself as there has never been a team playing at this level of football before.

"It will give the people of Grimsby a second club to follow when the Mariners are away."

The facilities at the new ground are certainly worth the wait for Borough.

Stands are being erected behind each goal for standing spectators and a 250-seater stand, bridging the half-way line, is also included.

Refreshments and food will be available as there is a fully-equipped kitchen and bar.

It promises to be a stand-out facility at Borough's level of football for a well-organised club with qualified coaches and a Charter Standard Accreditation

Admission prices, which are determined by the NCEL, will be £4 for adults and £2 concessions.

The Northern Counties East season got underway on August 7 and Borough lost their first two away outings before a triumph on the road last weekend, while the finishing touches are put to their new home.

But Fanthorpe revealed one early-season highlight is already on the cards.

"We've been drawn to play Scarborough in the League Cup," he said.

"They will bring a lot of fans so that promises to be a great day, though we don't have a date set yet."

Borough are again running two teams this season – the first team in the Northern Counties East League Division One managed by Newby and Fanthorpe. The staff also includes physiotherapist Ken Vincent.

Meanwhile, the Reserves play in the Lincolnshire Premier Division and are managed by Richard Smith and Martin Blades, along with physio Darren Williams.

The Reserves will also play at the new stadium complex but they will be on the new 3G all-weather pitch.