They may be separated by a handful of miles but footballing rivalries are set to be cast aside after a historic groundshare agreement was agreed.

One of the oldest clubs in Norfolk - Gorleston FC - will kick off the 2023-24 Pitching In Isthmian League North Division campaign next month at a familiar venue.

For the first time in their 139-year history, the Greens of Gorleston will make the 5.9 mile move to neighbours Great Yarmouth Town after announcing their home "for the foreseeable future" will be at the Wellesley Stadium.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBACK: Action from the Ridgeons League game at Emerald Park, Gorleston (green) v Clacton (white). Gorleston's no 10 Gary Ingram. Picture - Angela SharpeFLASHBACK: Action from the Ridgeons League game at Emerald Park, Gorleston (green) v Clacton (white). Gorleston's no 10 Gary Ingram. Picture - Angela Sharpe (Image: Angela Sharpe)

A Gorleston FC spokesman said: "Gorleston FC is pleased to formally confirm that from next season its first team and u18s will be playing all their home games in the league and cup at the Wellesley Recreation Ground for the foreseeable future."

In December 2020, Great Yarmouth borough councillors gave the go-ahead for Pleasure and Leisure Limited to build 97 houses at Emerald Park - the former home of Gorleston FC.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Emerald ParkEmerald Park (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)

The Woodfarm Lane ground has since been torn down to make way for the housing development.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The home of Great Yarmouth Town- The Wellesley Picture: James BassThe home of Great Yarmouth Town- The Wellesley Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2012)

Gorleston had played at Emerald Park for 40 years, up until April 2022, when they gained promotion to the Isthmian League and hoped to play their home games at a new ground at East Norfolk Sixth Form College.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Gorleston FC sealing promotion.Gorleston FC sealing promotion. (Image: David Hardy)

However, the club said: "Unfortunately, after 18 months of hard work and huge sums of money, during this process it became apparent that the pitch development at the college was no longer going to be a viable option."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The groundshare agreement signed last season between Gorleston and Lowestoft.The groundshare agreement signed last season between Gorleston and Lowestoft. (Image: Lowestoft Town FC)

Last season Gorleston shared Lowestoft Town's Foster's Solicitors Community Stadium at Crown Meadow as the club sought "a more sustainable long-term option".

With the Wellesley owned and managed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, club officials said that with council support a "co-operation agreement between the club and Great Yarmouth FC" has been agreed.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: FLASHBOOK: Football action between Gorleston and Diss Town from Emerald Park in 2012. Picture - Newsquest FLASHBOOK: Football action between Gorleston and Diss Town from Emerald Park in 2012. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest Archives)

The club spokesman added: "Going forward, the plan will be for the Wellesley Recreation Ground to be the home of the football club for the long-term future.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Town FCGreat Yarmouth Town FC (Image: Archant)

"Although Great Yarmouth Town FC have been our footballing rivals, they too have been immensely supportive to our transition to the site."

Historic groundshares

Stadio Olimpico: AS Roma and Lazio

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The San Siro is the home of AC and Inter Milan

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro): AC Milan and Inter Milan

Estádio do Maracanã: Botafogo FR, CR Flamengo and Fluminense FC

Jan Breydel Stadium: Club Brugge K.V. and Cercle Brugge K.S.V.

Melbourne Rectangular Stadium: Melbourne Victory FC, Melbourne City FC, Western United FC

Stadio Luigi Ferraris: Sampdoria and Genoa C.F.C.

Maine Road: Manchester City shared their home stadium with Manchester United from 1945 until 1949.

Selhurst Park: Crystal Palace shared their home stadium with Charlton Athletic F.C. from 1985 until 1991 and latterly Wimbledon from 1991 until 2003.

Stadio delle Alpi: Juventus and Torino shared this stadium from 1990 until 2006.

Munich Olympic Stadium: Bayern München and TSV 1860 München shared this stadium from 1972 until 2005.

Parc des Princes: Paris Saint-Germain and Racing Paris shared the stadium between 1982 and 1989.