Memories of Feethams will extend beyond its demolition, Darlington Football Club and its supporters pledged last night. Deborah Johnson looks back at the stadium's 140-year heritage and examines the prospects for the future of the site.

THE impending demolition of Feethams, the beloved former home of Darlington FC, may not come as a huge shock to many supporters, but that will not make the announcement easier to bear.

The stadium, built in 1866, had a reputation of being one of the most pleasant and quaint football grounds in England, loved by home and away supporters. The famous Tin Shed is still talked about fondly.

Feethams also acts as a cricket ground, and records show that baseball and lacrosse have occasionally been played there.

However, the football club's stay at the ground ended in 2003, with the construction of a 25,000-capacity stadium in Neasham Road, in the town, under then-chairman George Reynolds.

Although the club have played their football there ever since, the affinity with Feethams has never faltered, and supporters always held out hope it could be saved.

Now, everyone connected with the club is left to lament the loss of a crucial part of their history, although the memories will remain.

When the club, known as the Quakers, were formed in 1883, they played several games at North Lodge Park, before quickly settling at Feethams.

The stadium, which is now in a state of disrepair, was bought by Edmund Backhouse and Sir ED Walker, president of Darlington Cricket Club, in 1903 and placed in the ownership of a private perpetual trust.

The trust's deed of foundation dictated that it must be used for the playing of cricket or any other sport authorised by the cricket club, but a caveat allows part of the ground to be sold.

Darlington Football Club enjoyed a vast part of their history in their new home, which became adored by generation after generation of fans and players.

Ask supporters about their favourite Feethams moments, and the same stories are told over and over again.

The defeat of mighty Chelsea in the FA Cup in 1958; beating Middlesbrough in the FA Cup 28 years later; defeating derby rivals Hartlepool 4-0 in 1991.

Now, the stadium itself will have to be confined to history alongside its memories.

So what will the future hold for the Feethams site? Many generations from now, Darlington residents and supporters will still remember it was there.

Speculation is rife the prime town centre land will be sold to a developer, but supporters hope its future is in a sports capacity. Football and cricket uses have both been suggested.

Tony Turner, chairman of Darlington FC Supporters' Trust, believes the Feethams legacy is too important for its future to lie in anything other than the purposes it was built for. He said: "I think people have to accept that football is part of people's heritage. It is part of local history, part of the local scenery, part of what Darlington is and means.

"I think, in time, people will start to regret the loss of some of our oldest football stadiums, which are being pulled down across the country. Feethams was an attractive, quaint ground, well-liked by Darlington supporters and visiting fans alike. We can only hope the future of the site, which has such a long and proud tradition, can be in sport. This is a very sad day."

His sentiments will surely be greeted with agreement from football fans across the land.