Darlington Football Club's former Chief Executive Officer Martin Jesper has encouraged fans to dig deep for a final push that will see a remarkable turnaround of the club's fortunes over a four year period.

Martin, now Head of Strategic Developments at Scottish Premier League club Hearts, said; "This fund raising campaign could arguably be seen as the final stage of the rescue of the club by the fans. Returning the team to the town just four years after its demise in 2012 will be a massive achievement for everyone who has been associated with the club over that period.

"I have been impressed with how the Board has been delivering the final elements of the Blackwell Meadows project over the last few weeks and I have had several conversations with them, and Martin Gray, throughout that period. This time last year we had been given assurances that the club would be back in town for the start of the current season and we had planned sales and marketing initiatives accordingly. For those plans not to be delivered was incredibly frustrating but the delays the club encountered appear to have been fully overcome and I am delighted that the club is looking forward so positively both on and off the pitch.

"The rescue of the club by the fans has been the only reason the club still exists. It sends out a huge message to other clubs about what can be achieved from a loyal and passionate fan base. And I would urge the fans to dig deep for a final push to fund this latest initiative which will form a platform of stability and secure a presence back in town that the club and its fans crave and deserve.

"Importantly, in my view, it should also mark the end of the rescue phase of the club by the fans. The next stage is for the Board to plan forward for the growth and reengagement with local businesses and the wider community - diversifying and maximising the income streams that ongoing progression through the league pyramid will require. I am contributing to this cause and I would encourage everyone to do likewise to achieve the targets the Board has set. It's certainly an exciting time to be a Darlington fan."