THE irony is remarkable. While the Darlington rugby club which took over the football stadium prepares to stage an international double header, the one preparing to groundshare with the football team has plumbed unforeseen depths.

Nine years ago Darlington finished fifth in National Three North, above Mowden Park. Last Saturday Mowden beat once-mighty Coventry, while Darlington lost 66-10 at home to Guisborough.

Two years ago Blackwell Meadows successfully staged an England v Scotland Under 18 match, but the timing of that was also ironic. Mowden had just moved into The Northern Echo Arena and even though Darlington were highly praised by the RFU for their facilities and organisation it was obvious that any future big games would be heading to the other side of town.

In a town which had never had any great rugby tradition, certainly not in comparison with Hartlepool, the two clubs drove each other forward in the early 2000s and co-existed at National Three North level for five years.

By that time what to impartial observers had been the sensible option of amalgamation had become a stale argument, although it always seemed unlikely that both clubs could continue to prosper.

Nine years ago Darlington had the advantage, having had ten successful years at their well-situated new ground and finished above Mowden in their fourth season in Three North under highly-rated player coaches Phil Lancaster and Craig Lee.

Mowden were in limbo. They had expected to move to West Park in 2006 but every imaginable obstacle meant they were still at Yiewsley Drive six years later. They were still prepared to risk living on the financial edge, however, and continued to invest in the team, while Darlington decided they would have to slash their playing budget.

The team at Blackwell Meadows has been in steady decline since and so has the financial situation judging by the recent decision to dispense with paid staff in the clubhouse. “Historic debts” are blamed and while it is hoped that sharing with the football team will bring renewed prosperity, the move has alienated many club stalwarts.

Having been sworn enemies for years, some even go to watch Mowden now, having initially questioned their sanity for moving into the former George Reynolds Arena. There did seem little logic in taking an average crowd of 250 into a 25,000-seat stadium, but it was a gamble the club felt obliged to take.

They had been foiled at what they saw as the final hurdle in their move to West Park and went to the council with a plea for help. Embarrased by the white elephant on the edge of town, the council suggested Mowden move into it, sparking a success story which will scale new heights this evening.