The Darlington Arena

  • Games of the Darlington FC (2003-2012)
  • Games of the Darlington Mowden Park RFC ( since 2012 )

The Darlington Arena ( Sponsors Name: The Northern Echo Darlington Arena ) is a rugby and football stadium in the English town of Darlington and was up to the attitude of the gaming operation 2012, the home of the Darlington FC, who played in the Conference National. It was the largest stadium in the Conference National with a capacity of 25,000 spectators, which is limited due to local planning laws to 10,000.

Since 2012, the stadium is owned by the rugby union club Darlington Mowden Park RFC.

History

The Darlington FC played 120 years (1883 to 2003) in the Feethams, which was located near the town center, up to 2003, the Darlington Arena was built on the green field in the local environment Darlington.

The stadium previously had numerous other names and was originally named after George Reynolds Arena Reynolds, the then owner of the club. After his bankruptcy and his arrest, the stadium was renamed in April 2004 on The New Stadium. Since then the club has sold the naming rights to various sponsors, including at Williamson Motors ( Williamson Motors Stadium ), 96.6 TFM ( 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena) and Balfour Webnet ( Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena). Since February 2009, the stadium is named after the local newspaper, The Northern Echo and now is officially called The Northern Echo Darlington Arena.

The first game took place on 15 August 2003 between the Darlington FC and the Kidderminster Harriers, which had an audience of 11,600 and the Darlington lost with 0:2. Since then, the stadium is visited on average 3000-4000 spectators. Exceptions include derbies as in March 2007 against local rivals Hartlepool United, which was attended by 10,121 spectators.

During the 2009/10 season, the average attendance was reduced to less than 2,000, which was the second lowest in the league. This happened due to a very weak season the club after which the descent into Darlington FC Football Conference. The highest number of audience this season was only 2,744 with the lowest was 1,296. In the season 2010/11 Darlington had the largest stadium in the Football Conference with a maximum capacity of 25,000.

Next usages

Darlington intended to use the stadium for concerts in order to raise revenue for the club. The first concert was held in June 2007, which was but three months earlier canceled by the club itself. This Elton John was on 5 July 2008, the first artist in the arena.

Further use was uncertain, as the new club Darlington in 1883 playing for the season 2012/ 2013 Dean Street Stadium in the ten- miles away Shildon. In December 2012, the Darlington Mowden Park RFC was found as the owner and subsequent users.

England Conference Premier Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
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