THERE will be no more “false dawns” for Darlington Football Club, its new management team has declared.

Yesterday, the Quakers announced they had successfully exited administration after more than five months, and had been given the green light to play league football this season, starting today at Aldershot.

The news was revealed after the Football League handed the club its Golden Share and also approved its new ownership.

This means the League Two club will also start the season without a points deduction and will benefit from all the money it raises, including from season ticket sales and the Carling Cup tie against League One Leeds United, on Monday.

The new board, fronted by chairman Raj Singh, has said that, although it remains ambitious for the future, the club will spend within its means.

Last night, Mr Singh said he was delighted at the news.

“This is the culmination of lots of hard work and dedication and we’re elated to finally cross the line,” he said.

“We knew we’d get there in the end, but we also know this will still come as a relief to our staff and our longsuffering fans.

“We can now put it all firmly behind us, and concentrate on doing the business for Darlington Football Club, on and off the pitch.”

Yesterday, the club’s managing director Graham Fordy said staff at the club had worked hard to satisfy all the Football League’s requirements.

He said new manager Colin Todd had assembled a squad of quality players which he believed was capable of winning games.

He added: “I’m not going to make any false promises. In football if you spend more money than you’re earning you run into problems.

“This is what the previous two owners have found and they’ve been unable, or unwilling to bridge that gap.

“We’ve got a budget and the manager knows exactly what we’ve got and he’s happy with it – although I’m sure he’d like it to be three or four times higher.

“We haven’t budgeted to go beyond our means.

“We haven’t budgeted to go beyond the first round of the Cup – if we do that will be fantastic.

“We don’t want any false dawns.”

Mr Fordy added that he hoped the club would be able to win back the support of fans and local businesses.

“We’re ambitious and want to move the club forward,” he said. “Hopefully, they will begin to trust us after a period of time.”

Mr Fordy’s cautious approach has been welcomed by fans.

Andy Smith, from Darlington Supporters’ Club, said: “It’s great news. There’s been a lot of uncertainty over recent months.

“Now the football club and the town have to rally round and make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“We’ve got a great facility at the Darlington Arena and we need the town to embrace it.

“I think the sensible approach has got to be warmly welcomed by supporters.

“In the past we’ve spent a lot of money and not seen a great deal of success and it’s been our downfall on a number of occasions.

“Darlington Football Club is more important than one successful season, we have to preserve this club for future generations.”