Leaving their ground and want to share.. Could a ground share work? i don't see it. Where could be best for them? ............................................................... Darlington are set to leave their Arena home venue as of next season, and are seeking a ground share alternative. The group hoping to take over the club, Darlington FC 1883 Ltd, have told the ground's owners that playing there is not part of their plans. A spokesperson for The Arena's owners said: "We understand the focus of DFC 1883's plans have changed. Playing at The Arena is no longer viable." Darlington are now likely to play outside the town for the near future. The Quakers had been based at the venue since it was completed in 2003. However, they attract an average of only 2,203 fans to the 25,000-capacity stadium. Even prior to the club's relegation from the Blue Square Bet Premier this season, the costs of running the stadium as an ongoing proposition were prohibitive under the budget. Former chairman Raj Singh revealed to the BBC earlier this year that monthly costs for maintenance and bills amounted to £10,000 per month . In addition the owners of the land, Graham Scott and Philip Sizer, were paid a £10,000 'peppercorn rent' for hire, as covenants imposed by the council after they funded the initial development restricted non-footballing use of the venue. DFC 1883 hope to complete the purchase of the club, and have been in discussions with both Singh - the major creditor - and administrator Harvey Madden. The plans are to secure a ground-share with another a club, with a longer-term view to return to the town when the opportunity comes available.
Viable alternatives could be.. Shildon Tow Law Billingham Newton Aycliffe Cheap busses for fans would be cheaper than the running costs at the arena then back to Feathams
It's very sad how George Reynolds was allowed to take Darlo down this path...It was never going to be a viable concern...
I've never understood how Durham County have never had a decent team. Liquidate Darlo or merge it with Durham City and form County Durham Football club. We might lose Syd to the blue and purple b######s though :-D
Obviously cyprussyd hasn't visited many Northern league grounds recently. I think DFC would be well shocked if they had to play at any of the four grounds mentioned, also the grounds are not approved to above Northern league standard. However there is one ground which would certainly fit the bill and that is Bishop Auckland's. Heritage Park is a brand new ground, only recently opened, has excellent facilities, only 10 miles from Darlington with good transport services.
Don't you support that very team mate? Sunderland was always part of Co Durham until Tyne and Wear was created in the 1970's to enable Wearside money to be spent on upgrading the Newcastle transport links...Since then Tyne and Wear Metropolitan County has been disbanded, and I for one have reverted to putting 'Sunderland, Co Durham' an my postal address, which is permitted.
Showing my age here, but before Tyne and Wear was created, where did Co. Durham stop and Northumberland start?
Tyne and Wear /ˌtaɪn ənd ˈwɪər/ is a metropolitan county in north east England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. It consists of the five metropolitan boroughs of South Tyneside, North Tyneside, City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead and the City of Sunderland. Prior to reforms in 1974, the territory comprising the county of Tyne and Wear straddled the border between the counties of Northumberland and County Durham. North Tyneside and Newcastle upon Tyne had previously existed within of Northumberland, whereas South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland were all previously within the borders of County Durham, with the River Tyne forming the border of the two counties. Tyne and Wear is bounded on the east by the North Sea, and as a ceremonial county, shares borders with Northumberland to the north and County Durham to the south. Tyne and Wear County Council was abolished in 1986, and so its districts (the metropolitan boroughs) are now unitary authorities. However, the metropolitan county continues to exist in law and as a geographic frame of reference.
I live in Bishop auckland and although the ground is good i can,t see the pitch being able to support two teams playing on it as it cuts up pretty bd and the drainage needs sorting out. A winter pile up of fixtures would be no good for either side. Who ever gets the land where the stadium now lies ahould build Darlo a new smaller ground. my mate is a darlo season ticket holder nd is disgusted with Singh the Council and the two blokes who own the land
