THE football season has come to a bitterly disappointing end for those supporters who have stuck with Darlington Football Club through thick and thin.

Everything went against the Quakers in this week's play-off semi-final against Ramsbottom United, including the refereeing decisions. Defeat was not in the script and it has come as a blow to those who have worked so hard to put the club back on track.

But the disappointment has to be kept in perspective. It was always going to be a long haul back to the Football League, where Darlington FC belongs, and a lot of good work has been done to stablilise the finances and improve the club's community involvement.

The biggest immediate challenge is to get the Quakers back to Darlington. Playing matches at Bishop Auckland has served a purpose - it is an attractive set-up - but it is not in Darlington.

Attendances will continue to dwindle, and off-the-field commercial activities will go on being thwarted, while the club is having to operate outside its home town.

The Northern Echo, therefore, continues to support the Quakers' agreement to share Blackwell Meadows with Darlington Rugby Club. It may not be the ideal solution but it is the best option available and it helps two important local sporting institutions.

A planning application to prepare the ground for the ground-share will be submitted soon and it is hoped that the first Darlington football match will be played there before the end of the year.

Darlington Football Club has had a setback this week but the Quakers are in the hands of decent, hard-working people doing their best to find the best route back home.

We just have to be patient.