Once the supporting information has been checked and validated by DBC details of the application will then be made public. DFC and DRFC have been working closely with DBC throughout the process and both clubs are hopeful that permission will be granted.

A successful application will give the go ahead to fine tune the detailed schedule of works in respect of the car park, expansion of the clubhouse and, once the rugby season has finished, work on the pitch and surrounding facilities to meet FA ground grading requirements.

All parties are working together with the common objective of DFC playing home league matches at Blackwell Meadows from the start of the 2015/16 season, and all work streams and timings continue to focus on this important deadline.

Martin Jesper, CEO of Darlington Football Club, added “This represents a key milestone in the project and it allows a number of other work streams to be progressed whilst we await the outcome of the submission.

“More immediately, it allows the Club to formally launch its Heading Home campaign – this is an awareness building initiative in which we are encouraging all fans, businesses, schools, colleges and community partners to ensure that everyone is fully aware of our plans. A number of promotional items are available from the Club to help ‘spread the word’ around town and we are encouraging everyone in and around Darlington to play a part of this historic milestone in the Club’s history”.

Michael Stowe, Commercial Director of Darlington RFC, said “We are seeing the first major steps in the realisation of our ambitions to create a premier sports hub for the community of Darlington and the Tees Valley.”

“Both Darlington RFC and Darlington FC have great potential that can be realised by, not working in isolation, but through cooperation and the forging of talents to create a stable future for everyone; not just both club’s but the town as well. There is still some way to go but we continue to look forward to welcoming Darlington FC to Blackwell Meadows.”