THE chairman of Darlington FC has resigned unexpectedly as part of a restructuring of the board, The Northern Echo can reveal.

It is understood several other board members have stood down, although the club declined to discuss in detail the changes and reveal the new make-up of the board.

In a letter to the shareholders of Darlington 1883 Ltd, the company set up by fans to run the Quakers, it was announced that the restructuring had taken place to safeguard future short-term investments in the club.

Denis Pinnegar has led the club since April 2012 last year. He took over as chair at a critical point as fans attempted to buy the club and rescue it from administration.

Mr Pinnegar said in a statement: “A group of willing volunteers stepped up to the table for three months, but circumstances have dictated that we have been there for more than a year.

“We have all done our best in challenging circumstances and, personally, I am delighted and proud to have played a part in keeping the club going and to leave it in a position where it now has a future.”

 

A club spokesman said: “It is wholly appropriate that the time and effort of the interim board is fully recognised and carries the thanks and appreciation of supporters.”

The club confirmed in the letter that a share allotment was carried out last week.

Members of the Darlington Football Club CIC are now the majority stakeholders with a 52 per cent controlling interest in Darlington 1883.

A further 15 per cent is held by the Supporters Club and the remaining 33 per cent with 28 individual fans of the club.

The letter from Darlington 1883 Ltd states: “We are excited to be working closely with Darlington Football Club CIC and I urge you all to embrace our unique community-based football club model and support the various fundraising activities that we will be rolling out with the full support of Martin Gray and the team.”

The letter outlines a Race for Promotion campaign which the club says is a financial initiative geared at matching successes on the pitch.

More details of the initiative will be revealed next week, the club said.

Longer term plans to return to playing matches in Darlington are also progressing, the letter says.

The club currently lies 21 points ahead at the top of the Northern League Division One, although second placed Spennymoor have played eight fewer games.