A ROMANTIC return to Feethams for any potentially reformed version of Darlington Football Club has all but been ruled out.

Esh Group has been chosen as the preferred developer to build housing on the former Feethams football ground.

The company announced yesterday that it had entered into a contract with the ground’s owner, Darlington Cricket Club Trust.

The news comes three months after the football club’s former chairman George Houghton filed for administration.

Some fans had started talks of reforming the club, should the worst happen and Darlington go out of business, with Feethams being mentioned as a possible home.

But a spokesman for the developers said that if its application is approved, the remainder of the football site would be cleared for its mix of family homes, retirement properties and apartments.

The scheme would comprise 56 houses, from two to four bedrooms, 38 one and two-bedroomed apartments, and 52 retirement apartments of the same size. The scheme would also include some affordable housing.

Access to the site, which has been one of the main reasons why no plans have emerged until now, would be via South Terrace.

The company spokesman added that delays had also been as a result of contractual negotiations and a downturn in the property market.

But a planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of next month.

A fledgling Darlington Football Club first played at Feethams in 1883 and only brought down the curtain on the ground 120 years later.

George Reynolds, who announced plans for a new stadium when he arrived at the club in 1999, moved it to the Darlington Arena in 2003.

Despite talks about possibly having to reform the Quakers, supporters’ trust chairman Tony Taylor said he is hopeful the club can survive.

He said: “We are hopeful that a decision can be reached soon. There could be serious implications if it isn’t.”

The Football League is likely to seek assurances from the administrators as soon as possible that the club is in a position to play next season. Its annual meeting takes place on June 12 and the fixtures are due out five days later.