FANS of Darlington FC are being urged to be considerate when they leave the Blackwell Meadows car park today, to avoid a traffic bottleneck.

The club’s second home game at their new ground last week saw delays of up to 45 minutes as fans left the official car park, with some drivers angrily leaving their cars to complain to attendants.

Much of the delay was caused by cars turning right on to busy Grange Road, rather than turning left and using the roundabout to come back.

Some car park officials were telling fans they were not allowed to direct traffic to the left.

However, the club has issued guidance to fans to make sure they take a left turn when they leave Blackwell Meadows.

A statement from the club, ahead of today’s home game against Gloucester City, said: “It will assist a speedier exit for all, if traffic only turns left from the exit on to Grange Road then uses the roundabout to change direction if necessary.

“Following the club’s return to Darlington, the issue of entering and exiting the car park at Blackwell Meadows for the first few games will be a learning curve for all.

“I would ask all Darlington fans to be understanding and tolerant as this process develops.”

The club says at the end of the game priority will be given to pedestrians, which has taken between ten and 15 minutes following the final whistle after the first tw games.

It has asked fans parked in the main car park, next to the clubhouse, not to move cars at all from ten minutes before the end of the game.

The Club added: “This is to prevent potential interaction with any fans leaving on foot early from the game.

“When all foot traffic is clear of all parking areas and the exit road then cars will be released.

“We will endeavour to do this in an even and fair way.”

Darlington FC started sharing a ground at Heritage Park with Bishop Auckland FC after the original club went into administration in 2012, forcing it to leave its stadium.

It returned to Blackwell Meadows, the home of Darlington Rugby Football Club, on Boxing Day, to crowds of more than 3,000.

A minute’s silence will be held before today’s game to pay tribute to 26-year-old Ryan Wilson, who was killed when his bike collided with a car in Faverdale on Wednesday.