FEETHAMS
Feethams was a League ground for 83 seasons
from 1 Jul 1990 to 30 Jun 2003
and from 1 Jul 1921 to 30 Jun 1989
The 130th ground used for a League game
Opened: 1883 • Closed: 2003
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Darlington | 1 Sep 1883 | 31 Jul 2003 | The club was a founder member of the Football League Division 3 [N] in 1921, relegated to the Football Conference in 1988 and promoted into Division 4 in 1989. The match v. Chesterfield (2-1) on December 29th, 1923 (5,675) was played on the adjacent cricket ground due to the football pitch being frozen. The club was also involved in Football League Play Off Matches at the neutral venue of Wembley Stadium. Darlington FC moved to The Reynolds Arena at the end of the 2002/3 season. The club went into administration in 2004 and a return to Feethams to save money was considered but ultimately rejected. |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
| Date | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1921 | Darlington | Founder member of Division 3 North |
| 30 Jun 1989 | Darlington | Relegated from the League |
| 1 Jul 1990 | Darlington | Promoted to the League |
| 1 Jul 2003 | Darlington | Moved from Feethams to Darlington Arena |
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
The site was first used by Darlington Cricket Club in 1866 and, following their formation in 1883, Darlington FC played on the adjacent field. Feethams was gradually developed as two distinct arenas within the one ground (as compared to others, such as Barley Bank and Bramall Lane where the football and cricket pitches shared the same field). The cricket pavilion was constructed in 1906, a stand on the east side of the football pitch completed in 1919 and, following their admittance to the Football League in 1921, a stand built on the west side. Also by this time a narrow terrace had been constructed at the north end and embankments at the south.
The ground remained virtually unaltered until a cantilever roof was installed at the north end and the west stand destroyed by fire, just before the record attendance of 21,023 was set at the Football League Cup 3rd Round tie v. Bolton Wanderers (1-2) on November 14th, 1960. The west stand was subsequently replaced in 1961, a new east stand constructed in the 1990s, and the capacity at the end of the 2001/2 season was 8,379 with 3,958. The pitch size was 112 x 74 yards and although it was planned to retain the venue for training and the staging of youth and reserve team fixtures after the club moved to The Reynolds Arena [subsequently known as The New Stadium] at the end of the 2002/3 season it was not used as such and was demolished in 2006.
The ground remained virtually unaltered until a cantilever roof was installed at the north end and the west stand destroyed by fire, just before the record attendance of 21,023 was set at the Football League Cup 3rd Round tie v. Bolton Wanderers (1-2) on November 14th, 1960. The west stand was subsequently replaced in 1961, a new east stand constructed in the 1990s, and the capacity at the end of the 2001/2 season was 8,379 with 3,958. The pitch size was 112 x 74 yards and although it was planned to retain the venue for training and the staging of youth and reserve team fixtures after the club moved to The Reynolds Arena [subsequently known as The New Stadium] at the end of the 2002/3 season it was not used as such and was demolished in 2006.
MAP
Feethams