DARLINGTON say they have listened to feedback from fans and as a consequence may now wear hoops next season.

Earlier this week Darlington launched a poll featuring four potential shirts for next season, none featuring hoops, which is a design Quakers have worn regularly since 2004.

Some supporters welcomed the move away from the design, one which the club scarcely wore during the 50 years prior to 2004.

But because some fans expressed disappointment at the lack of hooped options, The Quakers now say there will now be a second vote: the winner of this week’s poll up against a hooped shirt.

A club statement read: “The voting period for the 2020-21 season home shirt has now closed with a record 1,800-plus votes cast, whilst lots of interesting comments were received via social media and email – thank you.

“The winner of the vote, which was very close, was Option 3 with 33 per cent of the votes.

“It has always been abundantly clear that the choice of playing kit is a hugely emotive subject for Darlington supporters, which is demonstrated by the large number of votes we receive each year.

“In addition, the feedback we received via various social media channels is a good barometer of the general feeling of our fanbase and as always we take a keen interest in everyone’s views and try to give a balanced response to the varying opinions.

“While the commercial aspect of the playing kit is very important to a club of our size, operating on limited resources, it should also be balanced with the need to create and maintain a clear identity.

“Throughout our 137-year history Darlington FC has played in many different shirt designs, hoops (or horizontal stripes) being the recent trend. We felt that offering the non-hooped options for vote, was an opportunity to celebrate an alternative period in the club’s history.

“Taking all the feedback on board, we have come to the conclusion that a decision to move away from hoops should be left to the fans. To this end, we have been working with the excellent Kit Factor designers and our kit manufacturer Puma Teamwear to create a new hooped option which will go up against the winner of the non-hooped vote, in a final vote.

“The winning shirt design will be teamed up with black shorts, white socks and the rear of the shirt will also be white."

Darlington FC Supporters Group chairman Chris Stockdale added: "Taking all the feedback on board, we have come to the conclusion that a decision to move away from hoops should be left to the fans.  To this end, we have been working with the excellent Kit Factor designers and our kit manufacturer Puma Teamwear to create a new hooped option which will go up against the winner of the non-hooped vote, in a final vote." 

Voting is now open and will run until 5pm on Sunday.

Vote here.