It’s becoming more and more infrequent that we encounter firsts on this blog. There was a time that we were critically acclaimed for our inovative approach but those days seem a long time behind us.
But not this week. Oh yes friends – we’ve had grounds that aren’t football grounds any more (Highbury), ones that aren’t actually football grounds (Worcestershire Cricket Club) but not a ground that isn’t a football ground but is about to become one.
Yep, you read that right. After Darlington reformed after going bust in 2012, they’ve played their home games in Bishop Auckland, some 15 miles away from Darlington. But they’re returning home soon, thankfully.
Plans are afoot to transform Darlington Rugby Club’s humble home into a stadium that can host football matches at a reasonable level, potentially even Football League in the future. And while all there is at the minute is a couple of rows of covered seating, there are plans drawn up to whet the appetite.
The club will need to raise a lot of money to make sure the plans come to life, but if they do they could be back in Darlington as soon as the beginning of the 2015-16 season. So it’s worth dropping past the rugby club quickly if you want to see it before its redevelopment.
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Woodhorn Lane Update
A week of high winds have possibly scuppered some of the work, although I’ve noticed a couple of internal staircases now in place, and external walls starting to go up. It’s definitely taking a wonderful shape.
You can buy my book here if you so wish. No big deal, I’d just quite like to eat this week.
Football Grounds I Can Be Bothered To Visit 