Darlaston Town in bid to rejoin league

An historic football club has submitted its application to rejoin a league it was pulled from last year - and now faces a nervous wait for a decision. more

Darlaston Town FC, founded in 1874, has applied to rejoin the West Midlands Regional League and will know whether its bid has been successful following the league AGM on June 16.

The club was pulled from the league last season amid financial problems.

But more than £5,000 was raised by campaigners - meaning bosses have enough cash to keep it going for another season.

And they have since found new premises at Bentley Road South playing fields, which will be shared with division two team Red Star Alma FC.

The final application has now been submitted to the league following a meeting with bosses.

And members - including other clubs - will take a vote at the June 16 meeting.

Darlaston could be up against other teams also wanting a place in the league - and there may not be enough spaces available.

Darlaston chairman Neil Chambers said he was 'on tenterhooks' but added: "There is nothing we can do to influence the decision now. We just have to wait for the decision."

The new ground is currently being refurbished so the club will not be able to play any pre-season friendlies there.

But it is expected to be ready for the first game of the season on August 9.

Around £5,000 has been collected to cover setting up costs such as rent, registration fees, insurances, football equipment and kits, with the committee holding a series of fundraisers.

The existing city ground needs new fences and walls so bosses looked for a new base.

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.

There were signed England and Wolves shirts as well as a West Bromwich Albion shirt signed by former baggies star Tony 'Bomber' Brown.

Also for sale was a colour photograph of the 1966 England World Cup winning squad signed by nine of the team and a signed Paul Gascoigne and ex Wolves striker Steve Bull framed colour photo from when they were playing for England.

The star guests who attended on the night were Don Goodman, who played for West Bromwich Albion, Wolves and Walsall and Steve Daley, who played for Wanderers and Walsall.