Good morning 1883.

I am going to ask the question formally on here as I think this is now the most important decision we have to make. Like Hilly and Divas have mentioned in other threads, a rash decision could come back to haunt us terribly in the future.

Our name. What shall it be?

We have been told (unjustifiably it would seem) that we can not use Darlington FC for the playing aspect of the club in FA competitions. I understand that it has also been implied that we will not be allowed to be called Darlington AFC (the logical step) due to it being too similar. However, a precedence has been set on numerous occasions in the past, and if we are to be believed, a reformation in parallel to ourselves in Rushden & Diamonds is also being granted the AFC suffix.

The questions that must be asked to FA are as follows

A) When do we have to submit the name by?
B) Where in the rules does it specifically state that we can not be Darlington AFC (or another name along those lines)?
C) Why are other clubs permitted to take this route where we are seemingly being denied the opportunity?
D) At the point of liquidation of 2009 Ltd, will the name Darlington FC become available to transfer to our ‘new’ footballing share?

I personally don’t like the 1883 suffix that has been suggested. It sounds somewhat amateurish, and whilst harking back to our heritage, it would not in my opinion attract the right business needed whilst we endeavour to climb back up the pyramid. I appreciate the notion of it being included, I just feel that it is best being left on the legal documents for companies house. This is in no way an attack on 1883 as I, like most others are extremely grateful for your actions in the continuation of our football club.

I thank you, and I support your intentions, but I also urge that this decision on our name going forward is treated with the upmost of delicacy, and that we get in writing from the FA why we have been denied the ability to follow the same route as so many others.

Your answer is eagerly anticipated…and also that of the FA.

Kind regards

Simon

Sorry - have posted this on the other board too:

"I realise that there is a certain amount of flack flying about regarding the "rushed" poll about our new name. I want to make a couple of observations at this point:

We were not given an indication from the FA yesterday about how long we had to make this decision, or what was an "acceptable" name (though they have said in the past that they would "prefer" that AFC was not used).

While we sought clarification about the timescales and details which we are working towards, we thought it vitally important that we sought *some* guidance from the fans as to their preference. What we wished to avoid is an answer being demanded immediately, and the interim Board having to make a snap decision on their own. That is not what being a fan-owned club is about.

If it turns out that we have longer than we suspect (we are still awaiting confirmation of the process etc.) then we will absolutely re-do the poll with the shortlist which has emerged, and provide as many alternative means of voting as possible/practical.

We are also well aware of the possibility of the vote being hijacked - and I can see the breakdown of the results on the eSurveys site and can discount votes if appropriate. You can rest easy that we won't be making the decision to call ourselves "Pub Team United", "Bishop Reserves" or "FC Weletourclubdie" (all of which have been suggested!)..."

The questions have been asked and as soon as we have an answer you guys will hear about it, but if the answer came back that we needed to chose today (for example), at least we've got a more rounded answer than me having to pick a name on my own.

Hi Laura,

I think this should have been mentioned originally (granted you were probably on your way back up from London, so probably not from yourself!).

The appearance of various polls with no cohesion along with a feeling of "WE NEED PEOPLE TO VOTE ASAP!!!!1111 LOLZ" didn't really help matters. Knowing that The FA haven't set a deadline, or even confirmed a process is a sigh of relief.