DARLINGTON will soon leave Heritage Park and they will do so with happy memories after four and a half fantastic seasons as tenants at Bishop Auckland’s home.
Quakers have won three promotions in that time, playing over 100 matches at their home from home, and Martin Gray is thankful for Bishops providing a temporary base since 2012 when Darlington departed from The Northern Echo Arena.
The manager was particularly keen to place on record his thanks to Terry Jackson, who was chairman of Bishop Auckland four years ago and now a director.
“It’s been a magnificent home for us,” said Gray. “It’s been a special time for us, lots of highs.
“We’ve had three promotions in four years here, something the club has not done before.
“Bishop have tried their best with the pitch and it’s fantastic this year, the best it’s ever been.
“There’s been a lot of big support and big thanks from me goes to Terry Jackson. If anybody has gone over and above what was hoped for then it’s Terry because he has been absolutely great for us.
“I would like to thank him personally for what he has done.”
Darlington play what they hope will be their final fixture at Heritage Park a week on Sunday when they face Marine in the FA Trophy.
The Merseyside club won a replay on Tuesday evening when they travelled to St Neots in Cambridgeshire, winning 4-2 in extra-time after the 90 minutes ended 2-2.
The third qualifying round tie at Heritage Park will be played on Sunday, November 27, as Bishop Auckland face Washington on the Saturday.
Marine were one of only two teams to win at Darlington last season, recording a 1-0 victory in October, but Quakers won the return fixture in January with Kevin Burgess scoring the only goal of the game.
They are 15th in the Evo-Stik Premier League Premier Division.
A week after the Trophy tie Quakers hope to start life in their new home at Blackwell Meadows with a game against Salford City.
Representatives of the Football Association inspected Blackwell on Tuesday, while yesterday members of the Stadium Advisory Group visited the venue.
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