40 replies to this topic

[Mumby Magic]

Random post know but thinking our beloved game as i always do, I noticed that Darlington FC have now slipped into the Northern Premier. What's that got to do with owt I hear you ask? Well it's their stadium. A white elephant if ever their was one now but is there any way in the near future that RL could make use of it?

http://www.panoramio...tygrounds.co.uk

25000 all seater.

What clubs are near there? Would it be worth holding any games there. It's too far Gateshead to use.

[saints10coach]

Gatehead have used it, they played Oldham there a couple of year ago.

[bowes]

No clubs near there that could be anywhere near needing a 25000 seated stadium.

Peterlee, Guisborough and the 2 Durham clubs are nearest.

[Methven Hornet]

It's a superb stadium - and totally unsuited to the task for which it was built.

I'm not sure any sport would fill such a stadium in Darlington, but...

Is it one of those structures that could be dismantled, piece-by-piece, transported, then re-erected in some new location - say, some empty space in Bradford?

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

I've been there to watch Hull City a few years ago. Great ground, massively under-used.

[Futtocks]

Smart-looking stadium - rectangular, too.

LINK TO PICS

[scrape_goose]

Well Darlington is half way between Gateshead and Hull, give or take, so here's an idea, why not merge gateshead with on of the Hull teams, Hull FC perhaps. Move all Hull and Gateshead fans to Darlington.

[jannerboyuk]

england versus exiles?

[ShotgunGold]

I'm sorry but whose idea was it to build a 25,000 seater in Darlington???! Have they ever had a sell-put crowd there? (have they ever managed a 15,000 crowd there?!)

[gingerjon]

I'm sorry but whose idea was it to build a 25,000 seater in Darlington???! Have they ever had a sell-put crowd there? (have they ever managed a 15,000 crowd there?!)

It is a very sad story of unbridled egomania and long-suffering fans being utterly shafted.

[dredgie]

^{The grandstand from their old ground was one of those prepack jobs, it is currently sitting in a car park in Darlington after Farnborough FC tried to buy it (& their cheque bounced)}

Edited by dredgie, 22 May 2012 - 10:48 AM.

[keighley]

Dredgie,
Have you told Oldham about this?

[thirteenthman]

It is a very sad story of unbridled egomania and long-suffering fans being utterly shafted.

Indeed. George Reynolds was the man at the centre of much of it. A some time criminal and multi millionaire who promised to take Darlington to the Premier League and built an extravagant stadium complete with marble floors. An extraordinary tale with a far from happy ending.

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

Indeed. George Reynolds was the man at the centre of much of it. A some time criminal and multi millionaire who promised to take Darlington to the Premier League and built an extravagant stadium complete with marble floors. An extraordinary tale with a far from happy ending.

Ah, yes. Mr Reynolds. I'm sure he renamed the stadium the 'Reynolds Arena' or some variation. He was the man who paraded Tino Asprilla to the fans at The Feethams in 2002 and the Colombian subsequently jumped on a plane and got out there quick snap.

[thirteenthman]

Ah, yes. Mr Reynolds. I'm sure he renamed the stadium the 'Reynolds Arena' or some variation. He was the man who paraded Tino Asprilla to the fans at The Feethams in 2002 and the Colombian subsequently jumped on a plane and got out there quick snap.

Yeah, when it first opened it was called the Reynolds Arena, but had to be renamed fairly quickly after Mr Reynolds took the club into administration for the first time. The stories about that man could fill several books.

[London ARL]

I'm sorry but whose idea was it to build a 25,000 seater in Darlington???! Have they ever had a sell-put crowd there? (have they ever managed a 15,000 crowd there?!)

I read on the BBC website a while back that the ground has never had an approved capacity of more than 10,000. It didn't elaborate on whether that was because there were problems that prevent a full capacity being allowed, but it's strikes me as probable that they've simply never had any reason to apply for a certificate for anything higher.

[Matt J]

It's a superb stadium - and totally unsuited to the task for which it was built.

I'm not sure any sport would fill such a stadium in Darlington, but...

Is it one of those structures that could be dismantled, piece-by-piece, transported, then re-erected in some new location - say, some empty space in Bradford?

Id love to see it in Fev's car-park

[scrape_goose]

It's a superb stadium - and totally unsuited to the task for which it was built.

I'm not sure any sport would fill such a stadium in Darlington, but...

Is it one of those structures that could be dismantled, piece-by-piece, transported, then re-erected in some new location - say, some empty space in Bradford?

If Bulls did that we'd end up with London Bridge by accident.

[Wolford6]

If Bulls did that we'd end up with London Bridge by accident.

And, a year later, the fans would be given three weeks to find £10 million.

[DRLFC]

There is going to be a RL team in Darlington but not at the old football stadium. We will be based at Blackwell Meadows Rugby Ground off Grange Road.