THE new owners of Darlington FC have told fans their club has a bright future which they will control.

Up to 200 supporters packed into the Blackwell Grange Hotel, in Darlington, on Friday night to meet the interim board of Darlington FC 1883 (DFC 1883) and ask questions about the club's future.

Fans were told DFC 1883 paid £100,000 for the club, including £70,0000 already paid to the administrator.

The forum also heard that the new owners were confident they could bring the club back to Darlington next year.

Ian Wilkinson, from DFC 1883, said a groundshare, possibly with Darlington Mowden Park, at Blackwell Meadows, was one option being looked at, although it was not the only option.

A new purpose built facility at the Darlington Arena was another option, with council involvement, Mr Wilkinson said.

It also emerged last night that the Financial Services Authority had received several complaints about the Crowdcube funding process.

The complaints were "unfounded", said Craig McKenna, DFC 1883 project manager.

The meeting was also given an idea of likely ticket prices for next season, with £12 for adults and £8 for concessions a possibility. Children under-five would be allowed in for free.

However, DFC 1883 chairman Denis Pinnegar stressed that the prices would depend on which league the club was placed in next season.

Fans were told the new owners will meet with the FA on Monday to plead for leniency over which league they are put in.

A decision would then be made on Wednesday, fans were told.

The meeting was told that caretaker manager Craig Liddle now had a job away from the club.

However, Mr Pinnegar, who described Mr Liddle as an "exceptional individual", said he had offered to help the club in any way he could in the future.

The forum had detailed discussions about the decision to play at Shildon next season.

Although the board admitted it was not ideal, they said the alternative option at Bishop Auckland did not have enough parking nearby.

The event was also attended by lawyer Andrew Cawkwell, of Muckles LLP, who answered fans questions about the funding process.