Just like Sunderland's Roker Park and Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park in the 1990s, Darlington FC's spiritual home, Feethams, now looks likely to be developed for housing

Ever since Darlington Football Club left Feethams for its new stadium in Neasham Road in 2003, the town's residents have mused over the future of the site.

The four acre ground is in a prime location in the centre of Darlington, next to the shops, the River Skerne and a picturesque cricket field.

Yesterday, its owners ended the uncertainty by unveiling plans to develop housing and an indoor cricket school, with provision for other sports, on the site.

Darlington Cricket Field Trust, controlled by the town's cricket club, owns 11 acres of land at Feethams - four of which were the football club stadium.

In its present derelict state, Feethams is virtually worthless. However, if Darlington Borough Council grants permission for a housing development on the site, it could be worth a million pounds an acre.

Yesterday, the landowners, Darlington Cricket Club, unveiled plans to sell some of the land to housing developer Wimpey.

In the 1990s, the same developer built homes on Sunderland AFC's old ground, Roker Park, and Middlesbrough FC's former site, Ayresome Park, when the respective clubs moved.

Last night, a Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: "There have been early stage discussions with the cricket club and Wimpey about what type of development might be brought forward for consideration by the planning committee - but it is too early to say what this could be.

"We have no idea how much of the site could be developed under the scheme, until we receive a planning application."

Wimpey built more than 110 flats and 12 homes on Roker Park and more than 130 houses on Ayresome Park - many went on to be bought by die-hard fans.

Yesterday, Wimpey was not available for comment.

But last night, Darlington Cricket Club emphasised any money from the sale would be invested in improving sports facilities in the town.

Chairman Brian Johnson said: "The plan is to spend the money on a cricket school which may incorporate other sports.

"The main sport would be cricket, as we are a cricket club, but there could be provision for things like martial arts and fencing - because there is little provision for these in the rest of the town. We do plan to increase the facilities that we currently offer the community and, if we get the right money, we may be prepared to fund another development in another part of town."

There is a lot of sentimentality attached to Feethams and community groups have called for the site to be used for grass-roots sport.

The East Stand is only eight years old the cricket club is considering selling the skeleton of the building on to another football club