Darlington are to ground share with Northern League Shildon next season. This will involve a ten mile journey from Darlington for fans. The other venue considered at Bishop Auckland would have involved a similar journey.
Darlington are to ground share with Northern League Shildon next season. This will involve a ten mile journey from Darlington for fans. The other venue considered at Bishop Auckland would have involved a similar journey.
Darlington are no longer eligible for Conference membership after failing to exit their Company Voluntary Arrangement. It seems likely that they will drop to the Evo-Stik NPL North which is where FC Halifax and Chester FC re-started. However, Darlington is not a phoenix club in the strict sense of the term, but it is seen as a fresh start.
Darlington FC 1883 Ltd. agreed a deal with administrator Harvey Madden to purchase the club’s assets. Former owner Raj Singh wanted £800,000 back but is unlikely to get anything. Supporters will, however, have to find £100,000 to pay off players over the next three years. They also need to find £200,000 to get the club off the ground by July as the team will have to be rebuilt from scratch.
The club’s troubles can really be traced back to the over ambitious move to the 25,000 seat Northern Echo Arena. The local council are now left with what is effectively a white elephant on their hands.