THE trust that owns the former home of Darlington Football Club has moved another step closer to disposing of the land after an ownership dispute was finally resolved.

The Quakers played their last game at Feethams, their home ground for more than a century, in May 2003.

But the future of the ground has been the subject of much speculation since.

Darlington Feethams Cricket Field Trust is seeking advice on the best way to dispose of the site, and could make millions of pounds if it is sold to a housing developer.

Last night, cricket club chairman Brian Johnson said he had received confirmation about the ownership of the East Stand from the administrators appointed when the Quakers went into financial crisis in 2003.

Wilson Field, based in Sheffield, had previously suggested that they may have a claim to the stand, as an asset of the football club.

But, with the administration over, they have abandoned that claim, leaving the trust free to dispose of the site.

Mr Johnson said: "I have had a final letter from the administrator saying they wished to inform us that they had received legal advice and had no claim on the East Stand.

"We are now waiting patiently to hear from our advisors about the best course of action to take."

David Field, of Wilson Field, said: "As far as we were concerned, it was always questionable whether the stand was worth anything to the club, because it did not own the land it was on."