THE trust that owns the derelict former Feethams home of Darlington Football Club last night took a big step towards disposing of the ground.

Darlington Feethams Cricket Field Trust has agreed to seek professional advice on how to secure the best possible deal for the land, which last saw a Quakers match in May 2003.

Feethams' future has been the subject of much speculation since the football club left for a new £20m stadium in Neasham Road.

Last week, cricket club chairman Brian Johnson said that the ground's fate had moved significantly closer to being decided. "There was a meeting of the trust and a decision was taken to seek immediate professional advice on the best way of realising the land of the football ground, whether by way of a freehold sale, a leasehold arrangement or anything else."

Once that advice has been received, a further meeting of the trust will be called to act upon it.

Mr Johnson added: "The football ground is now abandoned and is surplus to requirements as far as the cricket club is concerned. It is now a question of deciding on the best way forward for the benefit of the cricket club. We want to get things moving."

The trust could make millions of pounds if it decides to let a developer buy the dilapidated venue.

Quakers manager David Hodgson has also put forward a proposal to open a five-a-side football academy there on a ten-year lease.

But Mr Hodgson has said he did not think the cricket club, which plays on adjacent land at Feethams, would grant him the lease and would instead take the "more lucrative route" and sell the football ground.

Property experts have said any deal surrounding the four-acre site would be a multi-million pound one.

According to the trust's deed of foundation, any proceeds from a sale would have to be used for the perpetual use of cricket and other sports, as dictated by the cricket club