Deal to secure club future

Apr 3 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

APPROVAL has been given for the first phase of a major development which the chairman of Darlington Football Club says will secure the club’s future.

Full planning permission has been given by Darlington Council for an academy of sport to include eight indoor pitches, four outdoor facilities and classrooms at the club’s Balfour Webnet Arena on Neasham Road.

The second phase of the proposed £12m development, to include a 100-bed Hilton hotel, a pub, coffee shop and office accommodation, has been granted outline planning permission. Rental yields from this phase have been earmarked to put the club on a more secure financial footing.

Darlington FC chairman George Houghton said the project would create around 150 jobs and was fantastic news.

Mr Houghton, who also heads Darlington Investments, which owns the club, said: “It’s a massive thing for the town and the North East.

“Work will start on the Academy of Sport in a month or so. I want to move on that.”