140-year-old football team plays on with new home

Bosses at the 140-year-old club announced that a deal has been signed to play at Bentley Road South playing fields.

They will share the former youth club venue with division two team Red Star Alma FC. Club chairman Neil Chambers today said: "It is a huge weight off my shoulders because we have been raising the cash to pay for things like the kit, registration fees, insurances and football equipment.

"It would have been awful knowing we had the cash but nowhere to play.

"The city ground was never going to be an option because it isn't in the best condition so we had to look around and find somewhere in Darlaston.

"There were a number of options we considered, including Darlaston Community Association, Grace Academy and Bentley Road North playing fields, before we decided on Bentley Road South.

"The ground meets the grading requirements needed for us to return to league two and I think this is fantastic news."

The news comes months after it was announced that the club could fold and be pulled from the Midlands League.

A series of public meetings were then held and a campaign launched to save it.

Darlaston Town (1874) FC was formed and the committee has been raising the £5,000 needed to cover running costs throughout the season.

It has since secured sponsorship for its away kit and is looking for another business that will help support it.

An auction was held recently in aid of Darlaston and items up for grabs included a signed Kenny Dalglish Liverpool shirt, which sold for £120.

As a result of the new premises agreement, the committee has submitted an application to re-join the West Midlands regional football league to play in division two.

It will find out whether the application has been successful on June 17.

Mr Chambers added: "We started from scratch but now we have got the money and we have got the ground so all we need is a manager and a major sponsor and hopefully the rest will follow.

"It is great to see everything coming together now.

"My goal at the beginning of all of this was to kick off the 2014/15 season with a senior adult team in Darlaston and tonight we have moved a step closer to doing just that."

The existing city ground base needs new fences and walls.

Simon Neilson, executive director for regeneration at Walsall Council, said he was 'pleased' Darlaston Town had secured use of the facilities at Bentley Road South.

He added: "The council will work with the club over the next few months to help secure more permanent facilities in the future."

Darlaston Town are believed to be the second oldest non-league team in the country.