DARLINGTON FC are appealing a decision that prevents them from taking part in the National League North play-offs.
The high-flying Quakers have been told their Blackwell Meadows home does not meet league requirements and as such they could be denied promotion.
Here is what the fans are saying about the decision:
heartbeatfan: "A sad and sorry affair which will haunt Darlington fans forever. The FA have made the correct decision. There should be a shake up of rules regarding clubs that go into administration. Like any other company who go into administration, failure to find new owners then the club should fold and not be able to return at all. Darlington FC spent too much on an arena that would not see 25,000 fans attend."
@EchoAndyR @ShotleyLodger If no one has ever made a mistake feel free to knock the board! Let's go again next season. I offer the 1st £500 towards the stand.
— Andrew (@darloborn1883) April 13, 2017
david curries lipwig: "Firstly it was not the FA it was the National League, secondly the rule is a farcical one. Hands up its an oversight by the board of DFC no getting away from that but one that should be appealed. Finally what has the arena got to do with it raking up old ground in order to have a pop at the football club."
@EchoAndyR @CStoddartEcho @bbcteessport cannot believe how sick I am this is another darlo nightmare
— Michael Barrass (@MichaelBarrass1) April 13, 2017
joiner: "instead of the fans winging again why don't they question the people running the club as to why the lurch from one bad decision to the next. the fans deserve better as it is them who consistently bale the club out."
Crazy rule. A club could spend ££ on ground for the play-offs, yet the club that finishes 1st have until March 31, 2018 to upgrade ground...
— Craig Stoddart (@CStoddartEcho) April 11, 2017
FirTreeFC: The fans run the club and are part time that was our decision in hindsight we probably need to have a full time secretary but this will reduce the playing budget. Some difficult decisions ahead on how we run darlington fc and how we communicate to the manager team and fans time for a self appraisal."
Big recent history between our clubs but seriously . Who cares whether they have a turnstile or tarmac or 300 more fans! Let them play... https://t.co/R0hnpEpnW7
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) April 11, 2017
Skallywagg: "I made a decision during the last days of Raj Singh that the only way to oppose the poor decision making of club officials was not to attend any further fixtures, which I did. Since the clubs demise and subsequent steady rise from the obscurity I feel that the clubs. VOLUNTEER Board and match day helpers have done a sterling job stabilising the club.
Unfortunately this oversight may just create further mistrust and cause a further dip in empathy for what the club is trying to achieve.
I sincerely hope that they manage to sort this issue out and the National League see sense and allow the game to go ahead should they reach the Playoffs.
However I do believe that if Darlington did reach the next tier we they would struggle, in my opinion I truly believe we have reached our level and promotion would be a disaster at this stage in the resurrection process, but.....The Playoffs would obviously be a fantastic achievement both financially and from a progression perspective.
C'Mon Darlo"
Pierremontquaker: "The first question the Directors need to answer is can we afford to go up? Increased travel costs, increased player wages etc etc. The Directors have admitted the cost of moving to Blackwell Meddows was "significantly" more than budgeted. We also cannot afford the increased security and stewarding.
"The fans need to see the full running costs of the club on a monthly basis for the next 12 months based on remaining in the current league and if we get promoted - and projected income streams."
lovedarlo: "Surely the boards at fault, why wasn't the promotion requirement sorted out before they left Bishop Auckland. Instead of rushing back to Darlington they should have had it ready for promotion."
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