Quakers to leave Darlington

12:20am Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter

The Northern Echo Darlington Arena The Northern Echo Darlington Arena

THE Quakers’ stay in a stadium built for the Premier League appears to be over after the fans’ company bidding to buy the club announced its intention to move out of the Darlington Arena.

Nine years after the club moved from Feethams to the 25,000-seater venue, Darlington FC 1883 (DFC 1883) yesterday confirmed that it was looking for a temporary home outside the town for next season.

However, DFC 1883 said it planned to move back to Darlington as soon as a permanent venue could be found.

Craig McKenna, DFC 1883 board member and project manager, announced yesterday afternoon that a decision to move from the Arena – if the purchase went ahead – had been agreed by the interim board.

He said: “A decision on where we will be playing has not yet been taken and all options are being explored.

“The options vary depending on which league we will be playing at, and we’re taking advice from the FA regarding this.

“As always, DFC 1883 are more than happy to hear any thoughts that the fans have on the options.”

DFC 1883 has been approached by a number of clubs in the region willing to discuss a groundshare.

The options under consideration include a link-up with Shildon, Bishop Auckland or West Auckland football clubs.

Mr McKenna stressed that any groundshare would only be on a temporary basis, with a return to playing games in Darlington coming as soon as “practical and viable”.

Mr McKenna said tentative discussions with Darlington Rugby Union Club about sharing its Blackwell Meadows site had already begun, although he added that other options would be considered.

He added: “We thank the Arena owners, Graham Scott and Philip Sizer, for their efforts to find a lease that will work, but it’s now been mutually agreed that staying at the Arena for next season is no longer viable when all factors are taken into consideration.”

The football club’s departure from the Arena was last night confirmed by the owners, who did not reveal what the future holds for the venue.

They said in a statement: “We were notified on Monday by DFC 1883 that it was unlikely that it would be proceeding with the very favourable leasing agreement that was being discussed.

“We understand that the focus of DFC 1883’s plans have changed and playing at the Arena indefinitely is no longer a viable option.

“We have given the football club a high level of support for some time and, as shareholders in DFC 1883, we look forward to a resolution which offers a sustainable future for football in Darlington.”

DFC 1883 is understood to be on the verge of buying the football club’s assets from administrator Harvey Madden.

However, it is not yet known if this will involve the signing of a company voluntary arrangement with outgoing chairman and major creditor, Raj Singh, at a meeting planned for Friday.

Mr Singh wants certain conditions in return for writing off the £800,000 he is owed, including a clause which would give him any future money resulting from the sale of defender Dan Burn to Fulham.

If DFC 1883 buys the club without a CVA in place, the FA is likely to further punish the Quakers with a demotion to the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier Division, or potentially even further down the football pyramid.

The FA was yesterday unable to confirm the implications if the purchase went ahead without the CVA.

A spokesman said: “The FA continues to work with the administrator and with the purchasers of Darlington FC in relation to the insolvency of the club, including the CVA proposal.”

Darlington FC moved to the Arena in August 2003 after the stadium was financed by then chairman and former safecracker and kitchen worktop millionaire George Reynolds, who said at the time: “My intentions for Darlington are to build this ultra-modern stadium and then take the team from the third division to the Premier League.”

Initially called the Reynolds Arena, the stadium has never proved popular with fans who fill just a fraction of the ground. It has also proved extremely costly to run, with the gas bill alone reported to be £5,000 a month. Mr Singh said in January that the costs of running the stadium were integral to his decision to call in the administrators.

Comments(57)

Lawman3 says...
4:57pm Tue 1 May 12

The Arena was never viable, and stands as a monument to George Reynolds ego. I, for one, will be glad to see the back of it. The worry, however, is that, once we leave Darlington, we never return.

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tpk says...
5:04pm Tue 1 May 12

Think to a lot of people that will be goodbye DFC then, I'll go and support the RA.

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loan_star says...
5:17pm Tue 1 May 12

I just hope that this drastic solution gets Singh out of our club for good. The man isnt worth even trying to deal with.

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doonhamer says...
5:19pm Tue 1 May 12

Mixed emotions on this one. It looks like we may have a team next season and that's great news. Leaving the Arena also makes sense, but if we could not attract large amounts of fans to watch Football League and Conference fixtures who is going to watch low level non league at West or Bishops?. We must be careful. Those teams, plus Shildon etc, will charge a lower admission price than us for a lower standard of football, if we stay in Conference North. Therefore it's certain the locals won't watch us and floaters go to watch the Premier clubs. If we drop to Northern League level then we have a chance, but I can't see the club we share with being overjoyed with that scenario. Pensioners, fans without transport, diasabled etc, what provision for them having to travel to say, West, on a cold November Tuesday ? I hope we think long and hard on this one, our fan base isn't big enough to risk diminishing it even further, what chance the R.A.... have we approached them and if not, why not, it seems the most obvious solution and would give them much needed revenue which I'm sure they require. If they say no, ok, at least we'll have tried but please give it a go 1883.

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Jolly Roger says...
5:21pm Tue 1 May 12

So have the new owners DFC 1883 had a vote of all the share holders of it - to see if this is what they want.

If not I say you don't have a mandate to move out of Darlington.

It is just a few of you that are deciding what and where to go.

All Shareholders MUST have a say in this matter.

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quakersam says...
6:01pm Tue 1 May 12

Understand that Jolly Roger but if staying at the Arena isn't viable for us next season, then fans aren't going to vote against that.

Doonhamer, the RA's ground isn't an option as it only has a grading for Northern League football.

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freelance says...
6:12pm Tue 1 May 12

The Quakers have left the building.

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extratime says...
6:28pm Tue 1 May 12

Wish someone at 1883 could make up their minds

recent statements

no future away from arena and categorically state that the immediate future is there

the arena is no longer a viable option

we all knew that from the outset why didnt they

I'll wait for Hilly to come on and blast me but come on where is the PR from 1883 his favourite forum is crying out for word from them no all there is, is a loud silence.

Does everyone expect 2000 crowds at Shildon

Did these people really know what they were doing, unfortunately this doesn't appear to be the case

Where's do I join the queue to get my money back - all this in vane simply about pride and keeping our league status and we now find ourselves with a pheonix but those of us with some common sense knew this was the best option from the start

At least the Trust money is safeguarded and wont be lining HM pockets

Why have we been led down the garden path

The fat lady has sung at last - RIP Darlo

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MSG says...
6:56pm Tue 1 May 12

Moving out of Darlington is unacceptable to me as a shareholder.
I expect a vote on the matter!!!!
I will not be travelling outside the borough. I gave my money to save a Darlington club!!!!.
If you go outide the borough then i require my money back.

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laughingboy51 says...
7:04pm Tue 1 May 12

it will all end in tears!

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Darlotilidie says...
7:33pm Tue 1 May 12

Is a return to feethams totally out of the question?

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stiv says...
7:33pm Tue 1 May 12

About time, this should have happened the first time round, we would then be back in darlo by now playing in the league we should be in.

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extratime says...
7:49pm Tue 1 May 12

MSG - don't think its an option though no doubt someone will come on and say it is but I think phase 1 (note I said i think) this will go towards HM fees.

Guess that's the abseil from the roof gone then - who fancies one from the top of a portacabin at Shildon - nah - doesn't have the same appeal somehow

Though I imagine some investors will feel like jumping of the roof without the rope !!

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darlo86 says...
7:59pm Tue 1 May 12

As usual, anything to do with DFC is a debacle. How do you get to Shildon anyway

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Dtonmaf says...
7:59pm Tue 1 May 12

I know it may well be pie in the sky, but if someone, (not me) could come up with the plans costs and possibilitly of building a new ground on the old feethams spot or even somewhere else town centre-ish, maybe skippers garage?!?I don't know! But that would be a realistic target for funding to go towards, if it was going to cost 5 million, then so be it, I'll do my bit! I just couldn't offer money for Darlington in the Arena, sorry

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maclaren says...
8:52pm Tue 1 May 12

Never been a football fan to be honest enjoy the big premier league games and international football on tv but I think it is really sad that a local club with so much history has ended like this, in my opinion one man is to blame for this GEORGE REYNOLDS absolute tosser that man he should have been locked up years ago and the key thrown in the skerne he is nothing but a criminal and a horrible nasty man

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maclaren says...
8:59pm Tue 1 May 12

Oh and my comments above are from my own professional experiences with the joyfull mr Reynolds

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Trippynet says...
9:03pm Tue 1 May 12

It was inevitable. The fact is that the Arena is just too expensive to run. The club simply cannot maintain that huge stadium whilst making enough money from gate receipts to pay wages and stay in the black. It's just not possible. That's why we've been through so many chairmen. All wanted to redevelop the site to make money and found the couldn't because of the covenants protecting the land.

So, the only way for Darlo to survive is to move. Feethams isn't an option as it's just an empty field now. Plus, the club is in administration, so funding and building a new stadium isn't an option right now. We hardly have the money to save the club, let alone fund a new ground!

And that leaves a ground-share with another small nearby team as the only option. It's sad, and I hope Darlington raise the money for a new, small and sustainable stadium back in Darlington as soon as possible!

Right now, it's the Arena, or Darlington football club. You can't have both!

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delboy1977 says...
9:22pm Tue 1 May 12

Talk about flogging a dead horse !! great idea to go to bishop then the club will have even less supporters !!! give it up and support something worth watching !!!!!

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kendizx9r says...
9:25pm Tue 1 May 12

so whats happening to the stadium? and reynolds is not the only one to blame on this matter, even if feethams was still there ground and reynolds did not intervene where do you think the club would be now. football clubs have only got better because money has been put into players not because the scenery looks better

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ShotleyLodger says...
10:48pm Tue 1 May 12

Bloody good riddance to the Arena. Keep the faith. Sometimes you need to take steps back to move further forward.

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Friendoffeetham says...
10:56pm Tue 1 May 12

Obviously the club has to stay in Darlington! Anything else is a fraud on those who have spent money to save this club. Renovation of the ground at Feethams is the only way. And the council should finaly come forward to show their support for tradition of sports in this city - by taking a major responsibility in this renovation!

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monteforte says...
11:20pm Tue 1 May 12

Football out of town?
The people of this town who pledged hard cash have been completely misled by DFC1883..
No wonder they use Quakerz and Hilly to keep fans informed...

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antagonist1 says...
11:50pm Tue 1 May 12

george reynolds must be laughing his money laundering head off by now. first, direct worktops, now darlo. who else is he gonna **** up ?

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DFCpride says...
12:02am Wed 2 May 12

The reality is quite simple: there was never a way forward that involved the Arena. It's not a matter of the lease, it is the sheer overheads of running such a large capacity ground.

What we have now is effectively a Phoenix Club. A solution that was proposed from the very beginning. I'd love to see us return to a ground in the centre of the town. If it is not to be Feethams, then let us all learn our lessons of the last 10 years and ensure we find a suitable central town location.

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neilt63 says...
12:28am Wed 2 May 12

Time to move on, don't normally get involved, yet after reading some of the ludicrous comments I felt I had to. George did invest some of his money, well all of it. So he isn't public enemy No1, he lost everything including his freedom.
It was destined to failure from the start, not enough support, simple as. When I read all the comments about a ground share, forget about a lower standard of football and lower prices, the fans just wont turn up. Recession!
To launder money you actually have to still have some! Feethams would be a viable option, but all the lads who put money in need there voices heard, or a refund. Just for info, Shildon (birthplace of the railways) is 3 stops form Darlington station

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John Justice says...
7:14am Wed 2 May 12

What is it about Darlington football club?. Over the past 15 - 20yrs it has attracted owners who seem to have failed miserably to provide continuously good football coupled with financial stability. The decision to approach Reynolds was the final nail in the coffin. I honestly believe that a financial deal was so close all those years ago to save the club yet again without recourse to Reynolds. What a fatal decision that was. Just compare Darlo to Hartlepool, a town of similar size who in footballing terms have got it right. Their club seems to have owners who have the clubs best interests at heart and invested appropriately. Far different from the owners of Darlo for the past 10yrs. It is a lesson that the new Darlo need to learn from. We may not have the money,the ground or a team capable of league football at the moment but lessons need to be learned and acted upon in a positive way to return to league football if that is the aim. Good luck to Darlo and fans.

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FirTreeFC says...
7:52am Wed 2 May 12

Looking at the arena car park, I would say most fans travel from outside Darlington , look at Darlo Tykes or those from further afield do you hear those fans complaining. So two or three, years groundsharing at Shildon/Bishop wherever is a small price to continue the club going. Good luck 1883 the arena could not work and I will use my vote when a decision needs to be made on where the NEW FEETHAMS will be and which stand will be named after craig Liddle. Now that will be a good vote!

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Idontknowaboutyoubut says...
8:35am Wed 2 May 12

Well it took a while,but reality is finally beginning to set in,with those who have assumed the control of what happens next for DFC.
It was glaringly obvious,that a failing football team,poorly supported in terms of numbers through the gate on match day, trying to live in a stadium beyond it's means,was doomed to fail.
There still seems to be a false sense of superiority,among a certain section of supporters. they need to realise,the towns and teams they are sneering at, are now pretty much on a par with the Quakers,in footballing terms.Bishop Auckland in particular has a nice new ground,fit for purpose,but, you know what?They might not WANT Darlo to share with them. I say again.LOSE THE ARROGANCE.Assume a little humility,and maybe others will like you a little bit
ps.Friendoffeethams,
Darlo is a TOWN,not a city!!

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Hilly_2009 says...
9:46am Wed 2 May 12

monteforte wrote:
Football out of town?
The people of this town who pledged hard cash have been completely misled by DFC1883..
No wonder they use Quakerz and Hilly to keep fans informed...
Whoa! Hang on a minute there. I don't keep anyone informed on behalf of DFC1883. I'm a fan just like many of the others!

My gripe with 'extratime' on the other news article was his attempts at passing things off as facts when they were blatently false - nothing more.

I'm just as concerned as everyone else as to what this means for the club but rather than get swallowed up in the hysterics that are going around at the moment - I'm going to give DFC1883 a chance at explaining themselves.

Although I live in Bishop, so a potential ground share there would benefit me, I'm not stupid to realise that Darlington F.C. needs to play it's football in the town.

Therefore if DFC1883 can assure me that they have thought this through and it's not just a knee-jerk reaction then I will stick with them.

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quakerdile says...
9:56am Wed 2 May 12

RIP D.F.C. THE TOWN HAS LET YOU DOWN, AND DFC 1883 HAS BETRAYED YOU!!!

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morgan1 says...
10:44am Wed 2 May 12

I thought this was to be a community football club and yet the first decsions you are making does not involve those who would be shareholders of this club.

Whether you love it or hate it,i do not believe that abandoning the arena does anything to help the fans and your business plan will now be nonsense , there is no way on the planet that the fans will travel to where you propose, so the gate numbers will plumit.

Even after the calculations are done for the Northern leagure the business plan was totally inconsistent with actual numbers achieved more like 800 than 1700. If the arena is abandoned then these numbers will be even less down to a few hundred.

I suggest that this decsion is halted and that you allow the shareholders who basically are your fan base to decide on this decision. Lets get the costs together and see what it takes to hold this together to give us a 3 year scenario.

I would also like to see more involvement from Graham Scott and Philip Sizer in the club to tie together the stadium and the club, I am sure they would prefer an easier route rather than a re-development in the current business climate.

You obviously do not have the right people on your board if they are willing to ignore the fundimental issue of Community ownership at the first decision.

You must share the information with the fans, they are far more likely to support you if you tell them the facts, so far you are not involed them in decisions, or outcomes of discussions, and yet you have the emails of over 943 potential investors.

You must put the plan to them before you act or release damaging information of this kind if you want their support, otherwise you are going to see people withdrawing the money they have pledged.

I have seen nothing from the interim board that would suggest they are competent to tackle this type of challenge no matter what their experience.

The one thing which is a focal point for the club is its stadium, remove this and you will disappear.

I believe you should contact all the would be shareholders by email and involve them, I for would increase my stake in the club if I had a direct appeal signed by all the interim board members and had the chance to vote on what are fundimental decisions on the future of the club.

So far you have ignored the investment vehicle and failed to even keep it up to date, its time to wake up and consult the shareholders and fans.

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tonyboynton says...
11:04am Wed 2 May 12

Best thing that could happen to the club without a doubt even if it means having to move out of area for a while, so we can rebuild the shambles that has been happening for two decades.

I wonder if any investors come forward now (Mr Wilde) if I remember rightly..... 400,000 grand would do us nicely right now.....

.... I know was after a bite.

Up the Quakers !

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monteforte says...
11:38am Wed 2 May 12

I agree with morgan1
DFC1883 need to involve the shareholders/fans and be more open before major decisions are taken......

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monteforte says...
11:38am Wed 2 May 12

I agree with morgan1
DFC1883 need to involve the shareholders/fans and be more open before major decisions are taken......

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deliveryman says...
12:21pm Wed 2 May 12

At last, after all this time the inevitable outcome is happening. I got shot down last time I suggested that the club cannot survive playing at that arena, 'the cost of the stadium has nothing to do with it' was the cry from the blinkered fans. Starting again was always the best option, but I do think it would be a shame if they have to play outside of Darlington, surely the focus needs to be on re-building the club and finding a suitable place to play. I know its not that easy, but that's where the focus should have been and the money raising efforts to develop somewhere for them to play in their town. Stop all this money raising to fund a football club in a stadium that doesn't warrent their playing level.

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doonhamer says...
12:46pm Wed 2 May 12

monteforte wrote:
I agree with morgan1
DFC1883 need to involve the shareholders/fans and be more open before major decisions are taken......
Hallelujah, sensible comments. To stay in Darlo would be ideal, relocate, and it looks like we have to (only way to save the club) but returning will be the problem. In the past, to quote many of you, the wrong people have been in charge at the club, agreed, but who are the RIGHT people now, we don't and must not make the same mistakes again. 1883 say we will return to Darlo "in the future", please note NOT the "NEAR future". Once people get out of the habit of going to matches they don't go back, youngsters will not have a LOCAL team to follow and apathy sets in. Building a new ground costs millions, at best we will have only thousands as the Phoenix club will take a lot of money to run and income will certainly drop via gates, standard of football. Talk of returning to Feethams, as much as I would love to, is pie in the sky, financially it would be impossible. Just like we have to forget the mismanagement at the club over several years, we also need to take a reality check as to where we are now. If 1883 buy the club off HM without a CVA in place we can realistically look for a place in the Northern League as far as past comparisons go, eg Aldershot, Wimbledon etc. A club at that level does not need a big ground with big stands a some seem to think, Bishops endured years of hardship after leaving Kingsway, and their new ground suits their lifestyle accordingly. We will be the same (at best) and Football League status is something that even the most loyal Darlo fans must accept, will not be on the agenda for many years to come. Finally, again I ask, but nobody seems to want to come up with a logical answer(no inane, numpty like comments please) as to why we don't approach the R.A. re a groundshare, because if we don't please answer this question: I am a football fan living in Darlo. I want to watch my LOCAL team playing in the Northern League. Do I 1) Go to Shildon etc to watch Darlington play ? or 2) Do I go to Brinkburn Road to watch Darlington R.A. play ?. Can't spell it out much clearer than that !!!!!!

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taffydav says...
12:49pm Wed 2 May 12

maclaren wrote:
Never been a football fan to be honest enjoy the big premier league games and international football on tv but I think it is really sad that a local club with so much history has ended like this, in my opinion one man is to blame for this GEORGE REYNOLDS absolute tosser that man he should have been locked up years ago and the key thrown in the skerne he is nothing but a criminal and a horrible nasty man
you are totally an absolute tosser g r would have brought great stability to the club if it hadnt been for the council blocking his every move yes george was sailing a bit close to the wind but he would have got things done one way or another,do you know george personally ? ask your council why they blocked concerts car boot markets computer fares and any other revenue making scheme george had ,so before you slag him off get yer facts right

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holmesc1 says...
1:03pm Wed 2 May 12

Theres been some daft comments on here. Someone saying where shildon is they clearly dont get far!! In terms of public transport shildon is the best place to play. Its 20 minutes by train which would be ok for saturday games and the number one bus stops round the corner from the ground. Where they play depends which league they are in. If they get in blue square north or evo-stick league its going to have to be bishop auckland as they have a new ground. Shildons ground is not up to evo stick league standard. All them fans complaining about leaving Darlington they aint leaving town for good like wimbleton went to Milton Keynes! That grounds too big and if Reynolds should never had built it that big. If it was 10,000 capacity or under the new club could have stayed in it just like chester city and fc halifax stayed in there and they are both doing really well. I'm pleased about this the club can finally get a fresh start and in the long term it will be for the best. A fans run club that aint going to build a daft size stadium. The council were against reynolds and every other owner after but if Darlington had got to the premier league even (Wigan did it from the leagues bottom division) they would never have got over 15,000 on average town aint got catchment area and is so close to middlesborough/newca
stle/Sunderland

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holmesc1 says...
1:07pm Wed 2 May 12

Doon hammer i agree. I am Shildon born and bred but if the club is in the northern league shareing with RA is a good option or the rugby ground. If they are higher than the northern league then its got to be out of town. Personally i think demoting the team to northern league is harsh even if they can agree the CVA. Chester city went to evo stick league 1 and look at them promoted to confrence north. Numerous teams that have been in darlingtons position ahve gone 1-2 league lower not northern league. Farsley celtic, boston, chetser, halifax all spring to mind

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gramps427 says...
1:30pm Wed 2 May 12

People should remember the case of Wimbledon; they were moved out of town and never returned. Indeed even the name was changed to MK Dons, it was up to local people in Wimbledon to create a new club that is now doing very well. The 1883 mob are ignoring the potential of the Arena to hold pop concerts; the club could never survive on gate receipts alone. Now Sunderland are holding 3 concerts in the close season, do you think they are doing it because they are music fans or so that they can raise over a million £s? That sort of income would have kept Darlington alive and possibly have enabled the idiots who ran the club to pay silly money to its players and not charge £18 for a Conference game. I have no doubt that Mr Singh lies behind the decision to move away along with the current owners of the Arena; had they any real business sense they would have kept the club there and used the money from concerts to get their money back that they had loaned to Houghton/Singh in the first place. I am truly disappointed in the 1883 board who are clearly not interested in running a community club democratically. They will never raise the funds to build a new ground in Darlington & as far as I am concerned they have killed off the club I have supported for over 50 years.

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morgan1 says...
1:48pm Wed 2 May 12

If the club moves out of town then its not Darlington and it wont get the following.
Either a deal is struck to use the grounds at Brinkburn Road in the interim whilst putting a holding agreement on the arena for a 3 year period to allow the chance to get back in the league and return to the arena in that period.
If unsuccesfful demolish the arena and Darlington FC along with it.

There has to be a way of keeping the teams current home whilst the team re-builds at much reduced costs. Use the arena for specific events to help the team re-build.

Then at least it would be a happy home coming, if it leaves Darlington that was not what I invested for.

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IonlySpeaktheTruth says...
2:09pm Wed 2 May 12

Can't believe people still support convicted thief George Reynolds, read this account from an ex darlo player and see if you still think he's a good bloke?

http://www.sabotaget
imes.com/football-sp
ort/ex-darlington-ke
eper-remembers-the-d
ay-the-slide-into-ob
scurity-began/

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doonhamer says...
2:36pm Wed 2 May 12

morgan1 wrote:
If the club moves out of town then its not Darlington and it wont get the following.
Either a deal is struck to use the grounds at Brinkburn Road in the interim whilst putting a holding agreement on the arena for a 3 year period to allow the chance to get back in the league and return to the arena in that period.
If unsuccesfful demolish the arena and Darlington FC along with it.

There has to be a way of keeping the teams current home whilst the team re-builds at much reduced costs. Use the arena for specific events to help the team re-build.

Then at least it would be a happy home coming, if it leaves Darlington that was not what I invested for.
A 3 year holding agreement!!!!. Lets say we end up in the Evostik (1st Division). We win that, then the Premier, Then Blue Square North, Then the Conference. 4 seasons with unbridled success, then back into the League. Brilliant, now the hard bit. What quality of player will earn us FOUR consecutive promotions ? what will the wage bill be ? Where will we have played before we move back into the Arena, the majority of grounds that we could share with don't come up to Blue Square North standard. Promotion denied. Oh, and how do we pay our rent for the Arena while it's mothballed for 3 years ?. OK it doesn't work, then demolish the Arena, why ? it's not yours to demolish..... then demolish Darlington FC as well !!!!!! and you invested in the club ????????????? Heaven preserve us, the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

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morgan1 says...
2:51pm Wed 2 May 12

Thanks for your comments doonhamer, but I have done such an agreement on a factory that cost me very little to hold it for 3 years.
Getting something for the arena is better than getting nothing.

Is there a plan for the arena other than a housing development, not aware of anything other than a knock down and re-develop, please let me know if there is something else.

Your right about the grounds that's why finding a way to hold onto the arena at the lowest cost possible at least gives you a way back. Otherwise you need more millions to create a new ground, which frankly wont happen, under s cheme with only 943 investors with a 15% cap, somehow holding on to it is the only thing that makes any sense at all.

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doonhamer says...
3:28pm Wed 2 May 12

OK Morgan1 point taken. To stay at the Arena if possible does make sense. Most clubs relocate to bigger stadia because inferior grounds deny them promotions and the right to progress. Darlo have this in reverse. Nobody doubts that the facilities at the Arena are 1st Class. George Reynolds, whether you love him or loathe him, built a ground to accommodate a Premier League football club and we are blessed with that facility at the moment. If we were to groundshare (anywhere) it would mean a drop in standards or playing well out of the area, eg Boro, and tha's a non starter. The fans who don't travel within the town to the Arena certainly won't travel outside the town, so we seem to have an insurmountable problem. I appreciate your forward thinking, too many negatives are put forward, not I feel because people are negative, just that they are disillusioned about the whole sorry state of affairs and want to vent their anger in whichever way they can. It would be good if 1883 could take more notice of what's been said, as I fear if they upset the shareholders by diving head first into something without giving other options due consideration, then they could be going down an irreversible road.

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Thaistcks says...
4:05pm Wed 2 May 12

Hi if this is the end of the club can we not turn it into an Arena like at Newcastle? thus bringing some jobs and a 1st class venue in Darlington and making some real money for the town. This is a White elephant like the Dome in London so instead of it going to waste why not use t as a venue instead.

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mark.wilkinson says...
6:19pm Wed 2 May 12

Who gives a monkeys? Seriously! Some crappy little football club versus all the other massive problems we face as a town/country. Let it go ffs!

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doonhamer says...
6:40pm Wed 2 May 12

mark.wilkinson wrote:
Who gives a monkeys? Seriously! Some crappy little football club versus all the other massive problems we face as a town/country. Let it go ffs!
I lived and worked in Dorset for a couple of years in the 70's. Not a hotbed of football by any stretch of the imagination. Yet the locals had all heard of Middlesbrough, Darlington and Hartlepool but nobody had heard of Yarm, Thornaby or Stockton. Having a football side puts you on the map without a shadow of doubt.

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IonlySpeaktheTruth says...
6:40pm Wed 2 May 12

Is the abseiling still on???

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doonhamer says...
6:42pm Wed 2 May 12

Yes, but without the safety harness etc.

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maclaren says...
8:46pm Wed 2 May 12

taffydav wrote:
maclaren wrote:
Never been a football fan to be honest enjoy the big premier league games and international football on tv but I think it is really sad that a local club with so much history has ended like this, in my opinion one man is to blame for this GEORGE REYNOLDS absolute tosser that man he should have been locked up years ago and the key thrown in the skerne he is nothing but a criminal and a horrible nasty man
you are totally an absolute tosser g r would have brought great stability to the club if it hadnt been for the council blocking his every move yes george was sailing a bit close to the wind but he would have got things done one way or another,do you know george personally ? ask your council why they blocked concerts car boot markets computer fares and any other revenue making scheme george had ,so before you slag him off get yer facts right
Taffydav thank you for your opinion But you don't know me at all so how can you judge me I know mr Reynolds very well and I was involved in the construction of the stadium and had to deal with mr Reynolds in a professional capacity. It is this experience that allows me to form my opinion of mr Reynolds and as for your council comments, answer me this, mr Reynolds had full planning permission to re develop feethams to a 12000 all seater stadium...... Why did he not choose that option which would have been much better for the club the reason is he is a showman who did not care about the football club all he cared about was making a name for himself with his name on the arena right next to the bypass he was told from day one that the arena could only be used for football and nothing else but he ignored this cos he thinks he can bully people into what he wants, so stop blaming the council for mr Reynolds unrealistic dreams, I stand by my opinion on him and I am convinced he did not care one jot about Darlington football club

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johnschmidt says...
12:01pm Thu 3 May 12

I don't see why people should object so much about playing a short distance out of town for a season or so if it means the ultimate survival of the club based in Darlington itself. Rotherham have been playing at that monstrosity of a stadium in sheffield for three or so years while their new ground in Rotherham was being built. Also, everything does not have to be done immediately. With careful planning , construction of the new stadium can go ahead in stages, as finance/ league position dictate.
Finally, all stands do not have to be huge concrete constructions,( Unless rules state that they should be). A couple of years back I went to a smallish town in the Czech Rep called Ceske Budejovice. They had a very nice new ground, but the stands were all a metal framed construction with plastic seating, which looked fit for purpose. Don't know their website, but something like that might be worth considering for Darlo. IMHO

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holmesc1 says...
1:12pm Thu 3 May 12

johnschmidt wrote:
I don't see why people should object so much about playing a short distance out of town for a season or so if it means the ultimate survival of the club based in Darlington itself. Rotherham have been playing at that monstrosity of a stadium in sheffield for three or so years while their new ground in Rotherham was being built. Also, everything does not have to be done immediately. With careful planning , construction of the new stadium can go ahead in stages, as finance/ league position dictate. Finally, all stands do not have to be huge concrete constructions,( Unless rules state that they should be). A couple of years back I went to a smallish town in the Czech Rep called Ceske Budejovice. They had a very nice new ground, but the stands were all a metal framed construction with plastic seating, which looked fit for purpose. Don't know their website, but something like that might be worth considering for Darlo. IMHO
Well said. Look at Rotherham now. Dcoming along nicely with a small but decent ground been built sheffield was just up the road. I know darlingtons attendance will drop if they leave town but shildon or bishop aint that far away. The likes of Chester city and halifax were still getting 1000 in the evostick league and even if the die-hards only follow the new darlington they are still going to get double or even treble most evo-stick league gates. Liquadation should be done like putting a ill dog out of its missery and no more suffering

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doonhamer says...
1:34pm Thu 3 May 12

holmesc1 wrote:
johnschmidt wrote:
I don't see why people should object so much about playing a short distance out of town for a season or so if it means the ultimate survival of the club based in Darlington itself. Rotherham have been playing at that monstrosity of a stadium in sheffield for three or so years while their new ground in Rotherham was being built. Also, everything does not have to be done immediately. With careful planning , construction of the new stadium can go ahead in stages, as finance/ league position dictate. Finally, all stands do not have to be huge concrete constructions,( Unless rules state that they should be). A couple of years back I went to a smallish town in the Czech Rep called Ceske Budejovice. They had a very nice new ground, but the stands were all a metal framed construction with plastic seating, which looked fit for purpose. Don't know their website, but something like that might be worth considering for Darlo. IMHO
Well said. Look at Rotherham now. Dcoming along nicely with a small but decent ground been built sheffield was just up the road. I know darlingtons attendance will drop if they leave town but shildon or bishop aint that far away. The likes of Chester city and halifax were still getting 1000 in the evostick league and even if the die-hards only follow the new darlington they are still going to get double or even treble most evo-stick league gates. Liquadation should be done like putting a ill dog out of its missery and no more suffering
Rotherham owned Millmoor. Rotherham/Sheffield is a heavily populated area, look at the volume of clubs, floating support etc. Darlington only have debt. A season or so away, what planet are you from ??Oh and that well known Czech team Ceske Budejovice, get real, just look at New Ferens Park or Bishops, but they only reach a certain standard. I don't think you can even begin to comprehend the magnitude of Darlos problems. A few miles out of town for a season or so .............for most people a journey to the Arena was like organising a two week visit to Jupiter, way beyond their means, will or comprehension

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johnschmidt says...
12:27pm Fri 4 May 12

doonhamer wrote:
holmesc1 wrote:
johnschmidt wrote:
I don't see why people should object so much about playing a short distance out of town for a season or so if it means the ultimate survival of the club based in Darlington itself. Rotherham have been playing at that monstrosity of a stadium in sheffield for three or so years while their new ground in Rotherham was being built. Also, everything does not have to be done immediately. With careful planning , construction of the new stadium can go ahead in stages, as finance/ league position dictate. Finally, all stands do not have to be huge concrete constructions,( Unless rules state that they should be). A couple of years back I went to a smallish town in the Czech Rep called Ceske Budejovice. They had a very nice new ground, but the stands were all a metal framed construction with plastic seating, which looked fit for purpose. Don't know their website, but something like that might be worth considering for Darlo. IMHO
Well said. Look at Rotherham now. Dcoming along nicely with a small but decent ground been built sheffield was just up the road. I know darlingtons attendance will drop if they leave town but shildon or bishop aint that far away. The likes of Chester city and halifax were still getting 1000 in the evostick league and even if the die-hards only follow the new darlington they are still going to get double or even treble most evo-stick league gates. Liquadation should be done like putting a ill dog out of its missery and no more suffering
Rotherham owned Millmoor. Rotherham/Sheffield is a heavily populated area, look at the volume of clubs, floating support etc. Darlington only have debt. A season or so away, what planet are you from ??Oh and that well known Czech team Ceske Budejovice, get real, just look at New Ferens Park or Bishops, but they only reach a certain standard. I don't think you can even begin to comprehend the magnitude of Darlos problems. A few miles out of town for a season or so .............for most people a journey to the Arena was like organising a two week visit to Jupiter, way beyond their means, will or comprehension
Extremely negative point of view Doonhamer. Don't know if you've visited Rotherham lately, but Rotherham is as depressed an area as it gets. Plus they have Sheffs Utd and Wed on their doorstep, one if not both will get promoted, also Donny and Barnsley not far away, so plenty of competition. Yet they have stuck to it. In addition, I don't think they owned the Millmoor ground. This I believe was owned by Booth the scrapman. It was as a result of a fallout between him and the club re whatever, that they had to move.Correct me if I'm wrong

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harleyjasmine says...
9:51am Mon 7 May 12

if darlo does go in evo stick,shildon could easily get the ground ready for the season !!!!ps darlo fans should get off there high horse people are trying to help you

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