Darlington FC directors resign after online abuse

Two directors have resigned from the board of Darlington Football Club after online criticism and hopes of promotion becoming increasingly under threat.

Darlington FC said director Richard Cook was standing down after "disgraceful and completely unjustifiable" online attacks.

The abuse on social media followed the club's decision to ban two fans from Blackwell Meadows for throwing plastic bottles at the AFC Fylde keeperduring an away fixture on April 1.

Another director, Jonathan Jowett, will step down to take on the roleof Company Secretary, where he will oversee an appeal to the FA over theNational League’s decision to prevent the club taking part in the play-offs.Darlington's hopes of a fourth promotion in five years are in disarrayafter it emerged its new Blackwell Meadows ground does not have enough covered seats to take part in the play-offs.

Mr Jowett and team are expected to launch an appeal to the FA by Thursday.