Darlington Football Club could return to its roots if a campaign to save a historic sports ground is successful.

A group of prominent figures in Darlington has launched a last-minute effort to stop a housing development at Feethams – the Quakers’ home of 125 years.

The group hopes to reach an agreement with the owners of the land and convince them the land should be used for benefit of the community.

If they are successful, members are also aiming to offer the troubled Quakers a return to their home, an offer that has attracted interest from the football club’s chairman Raj Singh.

The group is spearheaded by Shaun Campbell, the man behind a campaign to honour former Darlington goalkeeper Arthur Wharton, who became the world’s first black professional footballer.

Yesterday, Mr Campbell unveiled his vision for Feethams, which includes a sporting academy based around a 7,000 to 10,000 capacity stadium.

It is unclear yet how the project would be funded, but Mr Campbell said funding would come if the plans garnered enough support.

He added: “All we want at this stage is to meet with the cricket club and explain a different way of thinking for Feethams.”

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said: “I am inspired by what Shaun and the others have had to say about it and I think that Darlington can do better than putting flats on that important and historic piece of land.”

Fellow group member Paul Bielby, grassroots sports campaigner, said: “I would love to see Darlington Football Club come back to Feethams – it’s rightful home.”

Last night, Mr Singh said he was still seeking to reach a resolution surrounding the holding company which owns The Northern Echo Arena and surrounding land.

The company is in receivership over an outstanding £1.7m debt incurred before Mr Singh’s 2009 takeover.

Mr Singh said: “We would certainly be interested in talking about a potential move back to Feethams, as we do believe it would be a very popular option with our supporters.

“Unfortunately, we cannot sit down to talk about any possible relocation until the ongoing issues with the holding company are resolved.”

Brian Johnson, chairman of Darlington Cricket Club, which owns the site, said a deal with a developer was “imminent”, but added that he would be willing to listen to the proposals.

He added: “Everyone knows we are far into negotiations with developers for the sale of the land but, having said that, if anybody wants to talk further, I am perfectly willing to do that.”