A COUNCIL leader has said it would be a tragedy if a town’s football stadium was to be pulled down.

Councillor Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, was speaking in the wake of Darlington FC 1883 Limited’s takeover of the football club and the signing of a deal to play at Shildon next season.

The future of the 25,000-seater Darlington Arena, which opened in 2003, and the land surrounding it, is now in doubt with its main tenant having agreed to cut its ties.

Last night, Coun Dixon said he hoped that the stadium would continue to exist and said it was “too good a facility to lose without a fight”.

Coun Dixon also urged against any rushed response over the site, in Neasham Road.

He said: “It would be a tragedy to close it [the stadium]. Let’s give it a chance. I would like to see the stadium retained and I believe most, if not all, of the council would agree with that position.

“The council will do all it can with the limited resources we have to support and aid any viable plan for the stadium.”

People living near the ground had mixed views when asked for their comments on its future.

Michael Lawson, who lives in Brankin Drive, just a short walk away from the stadium, said it would be such a waste to close it.

He said: “It’s a big venue and there is nothing in the town of that size. If they could put on some shows, they would only need two or three big shows a year to cover the rent.”

Neighbour Margaret Bell said she wanted the stadium to be converted into a leisure complex to be used by local schools and suggested a swimming pool could also be incorporated.

However, other residents were indifferent, describing the ground as a “white elephant” and saying they were not bothered about what might happen to it.

The stadium and the surrounding land is owned by millionaire businessmen Graham Scott and Philip Sizer – both former executives with the defunct healthcare firm Southern Cross.

They recently said they had no immediate plans in place for the site.

A continuing sticking point for any would-be developers is a covenant agreed when the land was sold by the council, which ensures the authority receives 75 per cent of any profit if it is sold for non-sporting use.