DARLINGTON FC has closed its five-year season ticket deal after raising £244,444 towards the club's return home.

The total means the club has enough money to fund upgrades to Darlington RFC's Blackwell Meadows to meet the minimum category C ground grade for next season.

However, although Quakers hit the initial £225,000 target, the club has not yet reached the £300,000 target to create a category B facility.

A total of 287 ticket packages were sold. The club also received donations and equity injections.

The club's board of directors said they were delighted with the response.

Martin Jesper, chief executive, said: “This has been an impressive and hugely successful initiative. We achieved our key financial target in a manner and speed that exceeded many people’s expectations, created awareness in the media and intrigue from other clubs. Our focus now switches towards funding next season’s operational activities."

The five-year season ticket deal was extended for an additional two weeks after announcing that the target had been reached.

However, the club said there was a noticeable slowdown, including some cancellations, during the extension.

Mr Jesper added: “It is a huge relief that the initial target has been reached, however we would now like all fans and supporter groups to ramp up their own individual efforts to raise funds through whatever means possible and continue to contribute towards enhancing the facilities at Blackwell Meadows even more - the Heading Home funding campaign does not, and should not, stop here.”

The club is now selling early bird season tickets for the 2015/16 season. Adult tickets cost from £175, concessions from £100 and juniors from £45.

Visit darlingtonfootballclub.co.uk for details.