A FOOTBALL club is hoping to attract a big name to perform at its stadium next summer to raise much-needed funds.

Darlington Football Club is looking into the possibility of hosting another major concert at The Northern Echo Darlington Arena at the end of this season.

In July 2008, more than 17,000 people packed the stadium to watch Elton John perform and the club is now hoping to replicate that success with a performer or group of a similar calibre.

However, the club will need to attract a major name who would generate a capacity crowd to make a profit on the concert.

If the concert does go ahead, any money which is made will go to help finance the football team and not to the stadium’s owners.

Rumours have been sweeping Darlington and yesterday, the club’s spokesman Martin Walker said that talks were under way within the club.

However, no act had been agreed upon.

He said: “Another concert is something that the club has been wanting to do for quite a while.

“It’s definitely something that we’re looking to pursue for next year, but nothing has been confirmed yet.”

Tentative discussions have been held with various promoters, as well as Darlington Borough Council, about the possibility of staging the concert.

Local radio station, TFM, has also been approached about possible promotion of the event.

The club sees non-football activities at the stadium as critical to the success and stability of the team, which is playing in the Blue Square Premier League.

As well as conferencing and banqueting at the stadium, the club regularly holds car boot sales in the car park, and major concerts are seen as another way of raising money.

However, the Arena faces competition from other tried and tested North-East venues such as Sunderland’s Stadium of Light which has recently played host to Take That, Katie Perry and Oasis.

Last year, Darlington was close to hosting a performance by boy band JLS, but the deal fell through at the last minute.