Tuesday 29 May 2012

Darlington looking for fresh start

It was announced on Friday that Darlington will drop down four divisions to play in the Northern League Division One next season. 

This comes after a horror season for Darlo, who came within seconds of liquidation, selling most of their players and relegation after dismal performances. After winning the FA Trophy at Wembley in May last year no-one would of predicted the football league club to be in the position they are in now. 

However Darlo must look to the future and re-build as a club. Ditching the stadium was important for the club, and has often been cited for the gradual fall of the club. Building the 25,000 seater in 2003 was at the time a fantastic moment for the club but after just an average of 2,203 fans over the years running the stadium was estimated to be higher than the income coming into the club.

Entering administration in January, the steep decline meant that players such as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson left with many others in January and the club were struggling to fulfill their fixtures. But after saving the club DFC 1883 still insist there still needs to be funds put in to save the club.

 "We need to raise a couple of hundred thousand pounds by the end of June, to continue." 

Despite all the gloom and doom it's not all bad news for Darlo, with a ground share with AFC Shildon on the cards, a clear out of all players, a new stadium and an end to financial problems could exactly be what Darlington need to move forward as a club, and taking the four relegation's allowed all this. 



Darlo must look for inspiration from the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Chester FC and FC Halifax Town who all built from the ground upwards and are all clubs on the up. A nightmare 12 months to forget for Darlington who will play against the likes of Norton & Stockton Ancients FC and Consett FC despite playing Luton and Fleetwood this year. 

Darlington's first step towards a debt-ridden future has been made but it could be many years before Darlo reach the summit once again.