Today Darlington FC Supporters Group launches the latest fundraising drive to purchase two 12-seater dugouts for the Blackwell Meadows development. Those who attended the fans forum on Friday evening will have heard Richard Cook state that the costs for Blackwell Meadows are in excess of those originally estimated, therefore we are looking at ways in which we can generate a small amount of additional funds for a specific purchase.

We’ve been amazed by the response of the Darlington supporters to the fundraising efforts so far and whilst ideally we didn’t want to launch another initiative so soon after the Community Share offer, starting from scratch as we did in 2012 unfortunately carries the burden of significant investment to return the Club to where it should be – playing football in Darlington at the highest sustainable level possible. As a fan owned Club without a large benefactor, any funds needed for capital expenditure must be crowd sourced from the fan base of the Club.

Many people have declared an interest in purchasing a "brick in the wall" – this isn’t a physical brick but offers a similar opportunity for you to become part of the fabric of Blackwell Meadows and will offer a lasting memento that you or someone you choose personally contributed towards purchasing a real, tangible asset for the Football Club that will be around for years to come!

The cost of the dugouts including installation are £4,000 each, therefore we’re looking to raise £8,000 to finance the purchase via donations which will qualify for a reward as follows:

1) Donate a minimum of £100 and receive the name of your choice as a plaque on one of the dugout seats (limited to just 24)

2) Donate a minimum of £30 and receive the name of your choice printed on the reverse of the dugout.

Donations can be made in the following ways:

1. Online via the DFCSG fundraising platform:

http://fundraising.darlingtonfcsupportersgroup.org/pitches/buy-the-dugouts

2. At Quaker Retail Mon – Fri 10am – 1pm.

3. On a match day from the fans table in the Bar at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland.

The scheme will remain open until the end of November and there is a planned unveiling in January so why not donate on behalf of a family members or friend for that special Christmas gift for any avid Darlington fan?

In addition all donations made into the DFCSG Ground Development buckets at forthcoming home games will be used to fund the dugouts.