An ambitious announcement in May 2022 to move to a brand new purpose-built stadium was seen as a significant show of support from the board to help catapult the club into the football league.
It was initially hoped the new stadium, which would have a capacity between 5,000 and 8,000, would be built in time for the 2024/25 campaign, later shifted to the start of this season. Several potential sites in the town were quickly identified, with local authorities fully behind the plans.
Yet, despite the initial momentum, frustrated fans and club officials have faced several delays due to location and funding difficulties. Potential moves to sites near Faverdale, Skerningham, and Teesside Airport have all featured in fans’ conversations in recent years.
Chief executive David Johnston’s claim that the three-year process has been “extremely time consuming and unfortunately very slow moving” highlights the several barriers the board has hit along the way.
For now, the club continues to be tight-lipped on exactly where it will call home. An agreement was reportedly close in May, but has been hindered by red tape. “We hope that fans will understand why we are not in a position to provide details whilst sensitive discussions are ongoing,” Mr Johnston told supporters.
Yet, the ambition for a purpose-built site remains. Plans drawn up by the board detail how the new stadium will include training facilities, which will be rented out to clubs, schools, and the community to help provide a sustainable and regular income stream for the Quakers, which became fan-owned in 2012.
A collaborative approach with other stakeholders, which could include other local sports teams, has been hinted at, but the club insists it must prioritise its future.
In 2003, Darlington left their former home at Feethams and relocated to the arena, a move which was led by former chairman George Reynolds. Quakers spent nine years playing at the stadium, but its running costs became a millstone around the club’s neck and contributed to the financial problems that resulted in demotion to the Northern League.
From there, it moved to Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park before moving to Blackwell Meadows in December 2016. Returning to the town was lauded as a new dawn for the club after years of turmoil. But supporters fear that they are not going to progress as long as they are based at Darlington Rugby Club.
Quakers do not own Blackwell Meadows, and have therefore decided that it does not make financial or practical sense to spend the money that would be required to improve the ground to the level that is required for admission back into the Football League.
Club officials previously explored the option of an Arena return, but operational costs were prohibitive, and the infrastructure would have required more investment. The club’s recent remark that it “cannot envisage a move back to the Darlington Arena in its current form” was telling.
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A potential solution for the arena site involves creating a multi-use sports facility combined with housing. For now, however, Darlington FC is keeping its options open. Fans were told the board continues to work with multiple parties on various locations.
Darlington Borough Council remains supportive of the club’s desire to relocate, but the majority of the work rests with Quakers bosses. Any decision on the future of Darlington Arena must benefit residents and local sports clubs, the local authority said.
With the new season underway, attention turns to the National League North side’s bid to win promotion. A positive breakthrough on plans for a new stadium could provide the boost the club has seldom had in its bid to return to the football league.
