MEMBERS of Darlington RFC have given their approval for continuing talks with Darlington FC over a groundsharing arrangement.

The rugby club's committee provided an update on the negotiations with the Quakers - who want to use the Blackwell Meadows facilities - at an extraordinary general meeting last night.

Chairman Mike Wilkinson told The Northern Echo this morning that members had approved the continuation of discussions with the football club and a move towards the completion of the groundshare agreement.

He said legal documents would now be passed to legal teams from both sides with a view to getting the agreement signed off in January, allowing the football club to begin using the ground next season.

Mr Wilkinson said: "We were given the continuing support of the members which was good.

"I will continue speaking to the members about the progress that we are making."

The rugby club will meet with officials from the football club and Darlington Borough Council next week to make further progress on the plans.

Dave Mills, chief executive of Darlington FC, said the club was delighted with the outcome of the meeting.

"It’s another significant steps towards the completion of the ground share lease agreement, which when signed, will allow the football club to make a resubmission of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) grant application to the Football Foundation, at the earliest opportunity.

"I remain hopeful for a positive outcome from this re-application.

"Both parties have worked tirelessly over the last few weeks to get us to this point and I’m now looking forward to formalizing the legal documentation as soon as possible.”

The football club had requested an extension of the FSIF grant offer after the deadline for claiming the money ran out following delays in agreeing the groundshare plans.

This request was rejected, however the football club said it had been encouraged by the FSIF to reapply once final agreements had been reached with the rugby club.

Darlington FC currently play at Bishop Auckland's Heritage Park ground, but officials say a return back to Darlington is vital if the club wants to be successful and move back up the league pyramid.

Earlier this year talks had apparently broken down between the two parties.

However, the clubs announced in a joint statement last month that "significant progress" had been made.

Mr Wilkinson said at the time that there were still a number of crucial elements that had to be concluded, including the leasing of additional land, final release of grant and funding applications, planning permission and commercial agreements.