THE interim board of Darlington FC 1883 last night warned fans that the hard work to rebuilt their club was only just beginning at the club awaits news on which league it will play in next season.

The Football Association will decide on Friday whether the Quakers will play in the Northern League or one of two Evo-Stik divisions.

In an appeal for fans to back the club, Craig McKenna, from Darlington 1883 (DFC 1883), said the interim board wanted to ensure there was clarity on the ownership of Quakers and to remind supporters is was their club.

He added: “The interim board of 1883 are no more than the temporary custodians of the football club.

"The tremendous amount of money pledged by the fans through Crowdcube was viewed as a clear indication that the supporters of Darlington FC wished to take control of their football and the interim board of 1883 Ltd found a way to make that happen.

“The purchase of the football club was for the fans and local community of Darlington.

“There can be no room for complacency though and the purchase was not even the first step on the ladder - it was just acquiring the ladder.

"There is still a huge amount of work to be done. If the fans don’t recommit the money that they pledged through Crowdcube and they don't finance the club, it could well end up in exactly the same place as before."

Fans are being urged to reinvest more than £325,000 already pledged to the club through on-line company Crowdcube.

The money is being returned to supporters because the DFC 1883 was unable to purchase the club with a company voluntary arrangement in place.

DFC 1883 paid £100,000 for the club’s assets earlier this month.