Quakers will appeal against FA demotion

The Football Association effectively relegated the Quakers four divisions on Friday because members of Darlington FC 1883 (DFC 1883) had been unable to secure the club’s official licence from former chairman Raj Singh.

However, DFC 1883 are hoping to prove Mr Singh had handed over the licence, known as the football share, and waived a number of conditions he had previously demanded.

Mr Singh insists he signed over the licence without any strings attached.

The Northern Echo has seen correspondence sent to the club from Mr Singh’s solicitors which suggests that conditions were demanded.

Club officials claim it is the only contact relating to the football share between the two parties.

But while Mr Singh confirms he spelled out a number of conditions concerning money during discussions with DFC 1883, he claims they were not related to the licence.

Nevertheless, Darlington officials were unable to prove ownership of the share last week, so the FA was effectively forced to treat the Quakers as a new club.

As a result, Darlington were demoted to the Northern League.

DFC 1883 are hoping their appeal will enable the club to play in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier next season, two divisions higher than the Northern League.

Mr Singh said he had signed over the share and accused DFC 1883 of presiding over a “cock-up”.

He said: “There were no conditions to the share whatsoever. It is not worth anything to me financially.”

He added: “I signed it and handed it over to my solicitors.

I wasn’t aware they didn’t have it until the day before yesterday (Friday).

“If they have not ticked all the boxes before going to the FA, that is not my job.

“It’s a massive, massive cock-up.”

DFC 1883, who paid £100,000 for the club, say a case of not being automatically given the playing licence has never previously happened in FA history.

Meanwhile, Darlington Supporters’ Trust lost another of its members last night when secretary Claire Stone resigned.