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Darlington ready for 'proud' Boxing Day return to town after four-year absence



TomandJerry

Well-known member
Oct 1, 2013
11,367
Fans of Brighton, Bristol Rovers, Coventry and Charlton will understand the significance of Darlington's home game against Halifax Town on Boxing Day.

Just like those teams, Darlington have known the awkward exile of ground-sharing away from the town they represent.

Supporters have stuck with Darlington Mk II through their Bishop Auckland exile, and their rapid rise through the divisions has brought them to within one promotion from the National League.

-Relegation from the Football League in 2010 was one catalyst for the problems, but it was the 25,000 stadium built by former owner George Reynolds - once heralded as the start of a bright future - that eventually brought the club down.

-They moved into the stadium in 2003, but less than 12 months later entered administration with debts of £20m generated by the move.

-George Houghton placed Darlington in administration again in 2009, a move that eventually cost the club a place in the League Two play-offs.

-The stadium ownership passed to the old club's major creditors in 2011, the loss of one of their biggest assets.

-By 2012, the club were put into administration for a third time, having already seen players leave under breach of contract terms.

-The holding company was wound up in 2012, a new one created in DFC 1883 Limited, with the club relegated four divisions and forced to change their name to Darlington 1883.

-Groundshare with Bishop Auckland at Heritage Park gave the club a place to play.

"Four-and-a-half years ago we found ourselves with no home, one player, a club crest and a £150,000 of inherited debt," fan Scott Thornberry said.

"Nobody was going to get us out of it other than us the fans, and you get quite emotional given that knowing what is going to happen. It's great."
 





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