THE Quakers have lost a bid to restore the football club's original name.

The FA has rejected an application to replace the name Darlington 1883 with just Darlington.

The club was forced to adopt a new name by the FA when it was bought by the community in 2012.

One of the reasons for the stance was the failure of the new owners to obtain the football share - the club's membership to the FA - which remained with former chairman Raj Singh.

Commenting on the ruling, Laura Drew, the club's director of football operations, said: “We know how important it is for the fans that the club is recognised by its rightful name, and we certainly put a strong application together for a change.

"Whilst unsuccessful this time, the FA has not closed the door on us entirely, and we will continue to engage with them with a view to restoring our name.”

The application was considered along with a bid by Whitehawk FC, a club which plays on the south coast, to change its name.

The FA said in a statement: "The FA Council has rejected applications from Whitehawk FC and Darlington 1883 to change their names.

"The council’s decisions - carried by a vote of its members - came after recommendations from The FA’s Membership Committee.

"Whitehawk FC of the Conference South had wanted to change to Brighton and Hove City, while Darlington 1883, who play in Division One North of the Northern Premier League, were asking to become Darlington FC.

"The council, which is made up of representatives from across football, fully considered the recommendations in reaching the decisions at its meeting at Wembley Stadium."

Darlington 1883 was chosen as a replacement name after polls were held by the club and The Northern Echo.

They revealed the most popular options were Darlington AFC and Darlington 1883.

After receiving guidance that Darlington AFC could be rejected because it was too similar to Darlington FC, the board chose Darlington 1883.

A plot by Hartlepool United fans to rig the poll to find a new name for their bitter rivals Darlington was foiled.

It is believed Hartlepool fans were voting for the more unusual Locomotive Darlington.