Blackburn Rovers Reserves will have a new home for the 2009-2010 season.

Rovers have taken up an invitation to play their Barclays Premier Reserve League North fixtures at Leigh Sports Village, a brand new complex opened recently by The Queen.

The move means the end of a nine-year association with Morecambe FC.

Rovers' football secretary Andrew Pincher said: "We have decided to take up the opportunity presented to us by Leigh Sports Village. It is a wonderful, purpose-built, 10,000-plus modern facility with good motorway links which is within good travelling time of Ewood Park."

Leigh Sports Village is home to Leigh Centurions Rugby League Club and Leigh Genesis FC, the non-league club currently managed by former Rovers' skipper Garry Flitcroft.

Simon Toon, chief executive at Leigh Sports Village, said: "We are delighted to be able to host Blackburn Rovers home reserve fixtures this season.

It's a great opportunity for any northwest football supporters to come to Leigh Sports Village and watch some premiership action.

This move will develop further links between Leigh Genesis and the local community as a whole, Transforming Leigh into one of the finest hubs of activity in the North West."

Mr Pincher added: "The move has a lot of plusses for us. The stadium offers top amenities for players and supporters and the location will also allow us to promote the club to a wider audience - there are 20,000 households known to have an affinity of BRFC within easy reach of the complex.

"However, while we are very excited by the prospect of playing there, we are also saddened to be leaving Morecambe with whom we have enjoyed a fantastic working relationship. We would like to record our sincere thanks for we have a true football friend in Morecambe FC."

Morecambe secretary Neil Marsdin said: "There have been many positives for both clubs from the partnership. It has helped us in financial terms (an important income stream) and has also allowed us to develop friendships with visiting Premier League reserve teams and showcase Christie Park. This has helped to attract teams for pre-season fixtures and generally raise the profile of the club.

"The ground-share has given football fans in our region in general the opportunity to see some of the Premier League stars, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City, regular visitors. However, now is the time for us to move forward to our new ground and for Blackburn to develop a new relationship at their future reserve team home.

"We will remain in contact and it is hoped that Rovers will play an important role during the opening period of our new ground next summer. On behalf of Morecambe FC, I wish to place on record our thanks for the opportunity and wish Blackburn all the very best for the future"