Quakers banking New Year cup bonus

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Darlington is set to receive a £75,000 windfall from Fulham after former Quakers star Dan Burns made his first team debut for the Premier League outfit in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The First Division North club is in line for the New Year bonus after the defender played in Fulham’s 1-1 Third Round draw with Norwich, his appearance triggering a clause in a contract negotiated by Darlington when they sold the player for approximately £350,000 in 2011.

The Northern Echo reported on Monday that Fulham will now have to pay £75,000 because he was named in the first team squad for the game and a further £75,000 because he got on the pitch. A deal agreed when Darlington FC was bought by fans from the administrator in 2012 means the club will get half the £150,000 and the rest will go to creditors of the old company, Darlington FC 2009.

The payment is being arranged by Harvey Madden, the Yarm administrator who handled the sale of the club. Madden is now checking the terms of the contract to find out when future payments could be expected if the player remains in Fulham’s first-team.

He told the Echo’s website: "I can confirm that Dan Burn’s appearance in the FA Cup did trigger the first payment to Darlington FC 2009. It was agreed that there would be a 50/50 split with Darlington 1883. I have already invoiced Fulham and would expect Darlington FC to invoice me for their half. It’s a real fillip for the club."

Although Burns signed for the Premier League club in 2011, the defender was loaned out to Yeovil Town last season and Championship outfit Birmingham City this year.

The financial boost couldn’t have come at a better time for the Quakers as they enter 2014. Last month, the club launched an investment scheme to stabilise finances by raising at least £50,000. The campaign is also running alongside a separate fundraising drive to help pay for the club’s proposed move to Blackwell Meadows to groundshare with Darlington Rugby Club next season. Run by Darlington FC Community Interest Company, the second scheme has a target of £75,000.