Relocation Is Option

by Scott Thornberry - 25th February 2011

Raj Singh has acknowledged for the first time that a move away from the Northern Echo Arena may be the long-term solution for the club.

But the Darlington chairman insists the short-term priority is to resolve the issue surrounding the ownership of the club’s holding company.

Mr Singh invited fans to email questions to the club for him to answer – and the club received dozens, the majority of which are being answered in Darlington’s matchday programme, Quakers, for the visit of Salisbury City tomorrow.

Answering a question from Jon Cole, asking if a move away from the Arena is a realistic option, Mr Singh says: “The ideal, long-term plan has to be to relocate the club to a smaller stadium, but that’s not going to happen overnight.

“The first obstacle is resolving this issue with Scott and Sizer – once that’s out the way we can concentrate on which direction we go in, whether that’s developing the land with us staying here, or trying to relocate.”

Despite the issues surrounding the ownership of the holding company, Mr Singh has reiterated his ambition for the club.

Ash Lawrance asked him which league he realistically sees the club in long-term.

Mr Singh replied: “Again it’s all about getting these obstacles out of the way, but there’s absolutely no reason this club shouldn’t aim for League One in the long-term.

“The success of the team will automatically attract more investors, advertisers and sponsorships so, although potential is such a key word, this club could be capable of reaching the Championship with the right support and investment.

“Some of my comments in Tuesday night’s programme were probably taken out of context.

“We do need more support, there’s no getting away from that, but losing our Football League status had a devastating effect on our cash-flow.

“Promotion would be worth £700,000, while advertising and sales are obviously adversely affected by losing our league status, so it all adds up which is why we are where we are today.”

Mr Singh answers dozens of questions in the 3,500-word feature, mainly covering issues surrounding the holding company, in tomorrow’s issue of Quakers for Darlington’s FA Trophy quarter-final tie at home to Salisbury.

Packed with club information, interviews, columns and features, as well as a detailed look at Darlo’s opponents, Quakers is on sale in and around the Arena as well as from the club shop and ticket offices before and after the match, priced just £2.50.