Football fans in fight to save wall

In 1998, Darlington FC announced it would build the wall as part of the redevelopment at Feethams.

Supporters paid £25 to have their names carved on a brick and built into a wall at the ground.

But when the club moved to its new 25,000 all-seater stadium in Neasham Road in 2003, the wall stayed behind. Now, because the cricket club is planning to demolish the old ground under advice from Darlington Borough Council, the wall is likely to be destroyed.

But supporters who paid for their bricks want to save their mementoes.

David Steel, who received his brick as a 21st birthday present from his parents, said: "I was really chuffed with it.

"I have been following the club since 1989, so to have my name immortalised like that at Feethams was great.

"To that end, losing the wall would be disastrous. I've always thought that long after I'd gone, directors, managers, players and fans would come and go, but my name would always be part of the ground."

When Middlesbrough relocated from Ayresome Park to the Riverside, the main gates were also eventually moved to the new stadium.

Mr Steel hoped a similar gesture could be made with the wall.

Some fans have been in touch with chairman Stewart Davies in an attempt to save the 270 bricks.

And a campaign to save the wall has started on an Internet messageboard.

A spokesman for the club said the wall was no longer its responsibility and added that there were no plans to build a new wall at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena.

Feethams is owned by the town's Cricket Field Trust and controlled by members of Darlington Cricket Club.

Brian Johnson, chairman of the cricket club, said: "I am sure people would be very welcome to collect their bricks if they wished."

But he added he would need to speak to the demolition team before the work started.

Demolition has already started after a fire destroyed part of the ground last week.

The site is poised to be transformed into a housing estate under plans unveiled this month.