From Paul Hodgson, Trust vice chairman and of the Disabled Supporters' Group
I have couple of events to be held at the stadium to mention - firstly a disability awareness forum which is on 17th March. Guests have been invited from various disability footballing organisations, once these have confirmed their attendance we'll let everyone know. Last season's event was a huge success - I'm sure next one will be the same.
Also the club are taking part in the Level Playing Field Campaign on the day that Barnet are our visitors on March 20th. Again this is about disability awareness and the players will be led out by 11 disabled mascots; in addition, they will warm up in Level Playing Field T-shirts.
From a personal point of view, it's great that the club are getting involved in events such as I have mentioned as football is all about inclusion, particularly at this level.
Monday 22 February 2010
Prediction League Match 28
Aaarrrghhhh! The Footballing Gods really do hate us!
Leading 2-0 and with less than 15 minutes to go, Darlo concede three times to lose a game that never looked in any danger until those mad moments. And so our slide towards Conference oblivion continues, interspersed with chinks of light and hope revived - which are soon dashed.
And this high-scoring scoreline has just about wiped out any chance for high-scoring within the Come On Darlo Prediction League – just one manager Michael Hunt achieving the elusive eight-pointer. Michael may not have Escaped From Alcatraz, but it has gone a long way to escaping from managerial oblivion – lifting him well away from the tag of Relegation Fodder into joint 119th with 38 points.
There’s no change at the top, either by position OR points – Carl Hankin still there on 87, Andrew Hodgson on 86 and Stephen Nicholson on 74. Adrian Page (73) and Brian Main (71) are right on their heels.
It’s as-you-are at the bottom, too – Malcolm Cundick’s third XI have obviously been out on the booze the night before and are now incapable of picking up more points than the present 16; Richard Collin and Raymond Percival are close by on 17, with the mighty Lance Ireland just in front of these with 18. Lee Dyas, Sarah Bell and guess who? Malcolm Cundick’s second XI have a measly 20 points. As a matter of interest, Malcolm Cundick’s first XI only has 26 points in joint 153rd spot. Wonder if he’d taken an overdose of Optimism Pills before the season started?
Pete
Leading 2-0 and with less than 15 minutes to go, Darlo concede three times to lose a game that never looked in any danger until those mad moments. And so our slide towards Conference oblivion continues, interspersed with chinks of light and hope revived - which are soon dashed.
And this high-scoring scoreline has just about wiped out any chance for high-scoring within the Come On Darlo Prediction League – just one manager Michael Hunt achieving the elusive eight-pointer. Michael may not have Escaped From Alcatraz, but it has gone a long way to escaping from managerial oblivion – lifting him well away from the tag of Relegation Fodder into joint 119th with 38 points.
There’s no change at the top, either by position OR points – Carl Hankin still there on 87, Andrew Hodgson on 86 and Stephen Nicholson on 74. Adrian Page (73) and Brian Main (71) are right on their heels.
It’s as-you-are at the bottom, too – Malcolm Cundick’s third XI have obviously been out on the booze the night before and are now incapable of picking up more points than the present 16; Richard Collin and Raymond Percival are close by on 17, with the mighty Lance Ireland just in front of these with 18. Lee Dyas, Sarah Bell and guess who? Malcolm Cundick’s second XI have a measly 20 points. As a matter of interest, Malcolm Cundick’s first XI only has 26 points in joint 153rd spot. Wonder if he’d taken an overdose of Optimism Pills before the season started?
Pete
Thursday 18 February 2010
Prediction League Match 27
Hopefully those Morecambe fish and chips were some consolation to the Darlo fans after another away-day defeat. And so the mini-revival comes to an end at the seaside.
But the 2-0 result brings a new leader to the Come On Darlo Prediction League – Carl Hankin returns there after his maximum score. Carl jumps ahead by one point from Andrew Hodgson on 86. These two managers have now put a bit of distance between themselves and the chasing pack – Stephen Nicholson is in third on 74. Adrian Pape’s max score brings him back into contention on 73 points.
Susan Weston’s eight-pointer has shot her up the table to 69, just two behind fifth-placed Brian Main. Paul White has moved to joint 12th on 64 and John Berry’s first XI are on 62 in joint 15th. Lance A lot now has 55 points, John Sainsbury reached his half century in 54th spot and Victoria Richardson moves into the top half of the table on 46 points in joint 75th.
Opportunity is Knocking for Ken Worthington . . . an opportunity to move out of the bottom half of the table, now on 43 points. Elaine Battison moves away from the relegation zone on 38 points, John Young’s second XI is just behind on 37. John Berry’s second XI has escaped from Spoon misery (for now) and sits on 23 points.
Malcolm Cundick’s third XI is showing its class (or lack of) on 16 points, with Raymond Percival and Richard Collin just ahead on 17. Lance Ireland continues to flirt with relegation on 18 points.
Pete
But the 2-0 result brings a new leader to the Come On Darlo Prediction League – Carl Hankin returns there after his maximum score. Carl jumps ahead by one point from Andrew Hodgson on 86. These two managers have now put a bit of distance between themselves and the chasing pack – Stephen Nicholson is in third on 74. Adrian Pape’s max score brings him back into contention on 73 points.
Susan Weston’s eight-pointer has shot her up the table to 69, just two behind fifth-placed Brian Main. Paul White has moved to joint 12th on 64 and John Berry’s first XI are on 62 in joint 15th. Lance A lot now has 55 points, John Sainsbury reached his half century in 54th spot and Victoria Richardson moves into the top half of the table on 46 points in joint 75th.
Opportunity is Knocking for Ken Worthington . . . an opportunity to move out of the bottom half of the table, now on 43 points. Elaine Battison moves away from the relegation zone on 38 points, John Young’s second XI is just behind on 37. John Berry’s second XI has escaped from Spoon misery (for now) and sits on 23 points.
Malcolm Cundick’s third XI is showing its class (or lack of) on 16 points, with Raymond Percival and Richard Collin just ahead on 17. Lance Ireland continues to flirt with relegation on 18 points.
Pete
Win match hospitality in Trust Grand Draw
Darlington Supporters’ Trust is running its 2009/10 Grand Draw over the next few weeks, to be drawn at half-time during the Barnet home game on Sat 20 March.
1st Prize is a hospitality box and package for the Easter Monday game v Hereford on 5 April.
2nd Prize is an iPod Nano
3rd Prize is a £75 Shopping Voucher
And there are other prizes...
Some supporters may be questioning why we are doing this and why we need to raise more money at this time.
It is partly to raise the profile of the Trust, but chiefly to raise further funds to be used to benefit Darlington Football Club both directly and indirectly.
As most will know, the Trust controls a “Crisis Fund” – this was raised in 2004 and through a vote of all members, subsequently ratified every year, remains ring-fenced and only to be used to prevent the extinction of DFC. It cannot be used for quick-fixes in other times of hardship and without this policy and the support of the membership it might easily have been swallowed up by the administrators in 2009.
However, The Trust is more than just the custodian of the Crisis Fund and some of our current commitments and projects include:
* Sponsorship of DFC Youth U18 and U16 teams.
* Sponsorship of the Youth Team Coaches’ training tops
* Sponsorship of two player kits every season (currently Ian Miller & Dan Burn (Home)
* Sponsorship of the Football in the Community (FitC) minibus
* Organisation of Disability Awareness Day (UK-wide)
* Sponsorship of FitC coaching sessions
* Sponsored and organised the posting of Season Ticket reminders in 2009
* Working with the Kick It Out campaign
* Organisation of Powerchair Football Demonstration
* Full and active members of NADS (National Association of Disabled Supporters)
* Full and active members of FSF (Football Supporters Federation)
* Through Supporters’ Direct work closely with other Trusts in the UK
As you can see, the Trust still has significant running costs to support the Darlington footballing community – please help us to help your Club.
Tickets are only £1.
Any exiles who would like to buy tickets are welcome to email the trust at darlotrust@hotmail.com and DST will get in touch.
We will be selling tickets at all the upcoming home & away matches.
1st Prize is a hospitality box and package for the Easter Monday game v Hereford on 5 April.
2nd Prize is an iPod Nano
3rd Prize is a £75 Shopping Voucher
And there are other prizes...
Some supporters may be questioning why we are doing this and why we need to raise more money at this time.
It is partly to raise the profile of the Trust, but chiefly to raise further funds to be used to benefit Darlington Football Club both directly and indirectly.
As most will know, the Trust controls a “Crisis Fund” – this was raised in 2004 and through a vote of all members, subsequently ratified every year, remains ring-fenced and only to be used to prevent the extinction of DFC. It cannot be used for quick-fixes in other times of hardship and without this policy and the support of the membership it might easily have been swallowed up by the administrators in 2009.
However, The Trust is more than just the custodian of the Crisis Fund and some of our current commitments and projects include:
* Sponsorship of DFC Youth U18 and U16 teams.
* Sponsorship of the Youth Team Coaches’ training tops
* Sponsorship of two player kits every season (currently Ian Miller & Dan Burn (Home)
* Sponsorship of the Football in the Community (FitC) minibus
* Organisation of Disability Awareness Day (UK-wide)
* Sponsorship of FitC coaching sessions
* Sponsored and organised the posting of Season Ticket reminders in 2009
* Working with the Kick It Out campaign
* Organisation of Powerchair Football Demonstration
* Full and active members of NADS (National Association of Disabled Supporters)
* Full and active members of FSF (Football Supporters Federation)
* Through Supporters’ Direct work closely with other Trusts in the UK
As you can see, the Trust still has significant running costs to support the Darlington footballing community – please help us to help your Club.
Tickets are only £1.
Any exiles who would like to buy tickets are welcome to email the trust at darlotrust@hotmail.com and DST will get in touch.
We will be selling tickets at all the upcoming home & away matches.
Monday 15 February 2010
Grand Raffle - Win a Box at the Arena for the Hereford Game on the 5th April 2010
Fancy a box to yourself....or with your wife/husband/partner......or your girlfriend/boyfriend,....or both...and/or friends?
The Trust is running a raffle with a box at the Arena for the Hereford Game on 5th April as first prize, an Ipod Nano as second prize, as well as other great prizes.
Tickets £1 each - winners to be drawn at half time at the Darlington v Barnet match. You can get tickets at the Arena on match days or contact us on darlotrust@gmail.com to order your raffle tickets by email
The Trust is running a raffle with a box at the Arena for the Hereford Game on 5th April as first prize, an Ipod Nano as second prize, as well as other great prizes.
Tickets £1 each - winners to be drawn at half time at the Darlington v Barnet match. You can get tickets at the Arena on match days or contact us on darlotrust@gmail.com to order your raffle tickets by email
Saturday 13 February 2010
Prediction League Match 26
Nearly eight minutes of added time – officially five, but he decided to switch to the Golden Goal rule of playing until Lincoln scored, to draw the game 1-1.
And that Golden Goal brought an avalanche of points for our managers in the Come On Darlo Prediction League, with 43 of you lucky, lucky people predicting the right score . . . you didn’t slip the referee a bung, did you?
Leaders Andrew Hodgson on 83 and Carl Hankin on 79 did well out of the scoreline, whilst Stephen Nicholson now finds himself in third spot with 71 points . . . so a slight gap opening up for the leading two managers. Brian Main and David Taylor saw their maximum scores move them to joint fourth spot on 68 points.
Other managers scoring maximums are: Alan Mooney, Avril Dent, Buzz Lightyear, Chris Mackenzie, Dan Colton, David Alderson, Gary Woods, Hannah Taylor, Ian Bonsall, John Sainsbury, Josh Slack, Kevin Kidger, Lance England, Lance Wales, Lemsip Opic, Lisa Fletcher, Mark Hathaway, Martin Cass, Martin Simpson, Martyn Cripps, Martyn Walton, Michael Hunt, Mick Spencer, Neil Jordison, Nick Walters, Paul Hardy, Paul White, Richard Sole, Rudy Dunk, Scott Dinsdale, Stephen Lander, Stephen Nicholson, Steve Calvert (x2), Steve Duffy, Sue Ashmore, Susan Weston, Tony Taylor, Troy Lacend.
John Berry is our new Tail End Charlie on 15 points with Malcolm Cundick’s third XI on 16. Raymond Percival and Richard Collin not feeling smug either on 17, with Lance Ireland and Dave Brown on 18.
On to Morecambe . . . and don’t forget to get your fish and chips just outside the ground! Mmmm!
Pete
And that Golden Goal brought an avalanche of points for our managers in the Come On Darlo Prediction League, with 43 of you lucky, lucky people predicting the right score . . . you didn’t slip the referee a bung, did you?
Leaders Andrew Hodgson on 83 and Carl Hankin on 79 did well out of the scoreline, whilst Stephen Nicholson now finds himself in third spot with 71 points . . . so a slight gap opening up for the leading two managers. Brian Main and David Taylor saw their maximum scores move them to joint fourth spot on 68 points.
Other managers scoring maximums are: Alan Mooney, Avril Dent, Buzz Lightyear, Chris Mackenzie, Dan Colton, David Alderson, Gary Woods, Hannah Taylor, Ian Bonsall, John Sainsbury, Josh Slack, Kevin Kidger, Lance England, Lance Wales, Lemsip Opic, Lisa Fletcher, Mark Hathaway, Martin Cass, Martin Simpson, Martyn Cripps, Martyn Walton, Michael Hunt, Mick Spencer, Neil Jordison, Nick Walters, Paul Hardy, Paul White, Richard Sole, Rudy Dunk, Scott Dinsdale, Stephen Lander, Stephen Nicholson, Steve Calvert (x2), Steve Duffy, Sue Ashmore, Susan Weston, Tony Taylor, Troy Lacend.
John Berry is our new Tail End Charlie on 15 points with Malcolm Cundick’s third XI on 16. Raymond Percival and Richard Collin not feeling smug either on 17, with Lance Ireland and Dave Brown on 18.
On to Morecambe . . . and don’t forget to get your fish and chips just outside the ground! Mmmm!
Pete
Monday 8 February 2010
Prediction League Match 25
League safety is back on the menu . . . oh come on, it wouldn’t be Darlo if we didn’t have these flashes of hope!
And how many teams will suffer Rotherham’s ignominy of being beaten twice in the league by Darlo?
And who is suffering in the Come On Darlo Prediction League? - Well, it’s mainly our leaders who failed to register a single maximum eight points out of the top ten. Andrew Hodgson is still clinging to top spot with 75 points, Carl Hankin in second on 71 with Lance Broken in third on 67.
Emma Davis is the highest placed of our max scorers, moving up to joint 10th place on 59 points. And because of how tight things are from top to bottom of the league, four other managers have moved into the top quarter – John Berry’s first XI is on 54 in 24th place, Paul Johnson’s first XI on 53 in 27th, Steve Duffy’s first XI on 52 in 31st and Lance Scotland (I think this is his ninth XI) on 51 in 32nd spot.
Paul Soderman has leapt well into the top half and is now on 48 in joint 45th place, with Lorraine Arscott one place back on 47. Rhonda Fleming is well in contention on 45 in joint 65th. Gary “Two Spoons” Cooke looks to have lost his touch and has no chance of retaining his wooden spoon – now on 42 points, along with James Houghton, after their eight-pointers.
Rudy Dunk and Ian Davidson have achieved league safety, 40 and 39 points, respectively. Michael Hunt has escaped from his “Alcatraz” for the present time, moving away from the basement and is now on 30. And finally, Richard Widmark has restored a little of his career and now has 29 points in 136th place.
And, as I warned a couple of games ago, the Master Spoonist – Alan Mooney – has moved smoothly into bottom spot. He should not be underestimated in his bid for more kitchen utensils. John Berry’s second XI is just two points ahead on 15, whilst Malcolm Cundick’s third XI has just 16 points. Ahead of them are Raymond Percival, Richard Collin and Lee Dyas with 17 points.
Pete
And how many teams will suffer Rotherham’s ignominy of being beaten twice in the league by Darlo?
And who is suffering in the Come On Darlo Prediction League? - Well, it’s mainly our leaders who failed to register a single maximum eight points out of the top ten. Andrew Hodgson is still clinging to top spot with 75 points, Carl Hankin in second on 71 with Lance Broken in third on 67.
Emma Davis is the highest placed of our max scorers, moving up to joint 10th place on 59 points. And because of how tight things are from top to bottom of the league, four other managers have moved into the top quarter – John Berry’s first XI is on 54 in 24th place, Paul Johnson’s first XI on 53 in 27th, Steve Duffy’s first XI on 52 in 31st and Lance Scotland (I think this is his ninth XI) on 51 in 32nd spot.
Paul Soderman has leapt well into the top half and is now on 48 in joint 45th place, with Lorraine Arscott one place back on 47. Rhonda Fleming is well in contention on 45 in joint 65th. Gary “Two Spoons” Cooke looks to have lost his touch and has no chance of retaining his wooden spoon – now on 42 points, along with James Houghton, after their eight-pointers.
Rudy Dunk and Ian Davidson have achieved league safety, 40 and 39 points, respectively. Michael Hunt has escaped from his “Alcatraz” for the present time, moving away from the basement and is now on 30. And finally, Richard Widmark has restored a little of his career and now has 29 points in 136th place.
And, as I warned a couple of games ago, the Master Spoonist – Alan Mooney – has moved smoothly into bottom spot. He should not be underestimated in his bid for more kitchen utensils. John Berry’s second XI is just two points ahead on 15, whilst Malcolm Cundick’s third XI has just 16 points. Ahead of them are Raymond Percival, Richard Collin and Lee Dyas with 17 points.
Pete
Wednesday 3 February 2010
Club Social Events
First of all, some news about the votes in the kit competition. There were over 400 votes by email, text and post and the winning designs had 67% and 54% respectively. The winning designs will be announced at the QUESTION OF SPORT FANS' NIGHT on 25th February, along with the winners of the excellent prizes including the trip to Erreà.
You can get your tickets for this from the Arena Reception, or by calling 01325 387000, for £5, which includes food and entertainment in the form of PAST VS. PRESENT Question of Sport. The Past team is captained by Craig Liddle (Trust Vice President)and the Present team is captained by Ian Miller. Kevan Smith (also a Trust Vice President) will be our very own Sue Barker!
There will be four rounds, including a picture round and World Cup themed round and a round where you can submit your own questions. Email your questions, with answer to me, damon.shaw@darlington-fc.net, with the subject QUESTION OF SPORT. The best ones will be used in the HOME and AWAY round!
After the success of the last fans' night the club would love to see even more of you at the next one - make sure you book early to guarantee a place!
We're back at home on a Saturday for the first time since 5th DECEMBER this week!! There are some new ticket deals through the club - 5 tickets for £65 for adults, £40 concessions, £20 under-16s and £12.50 under-10s. Family bundles are £150.
You can get your tickets for this from the Arena Reception, or by calling 01325 387000, for £5, which includes food and entertainment in the form of PAST VS. PRESENT Question of Sport. The Past team is captained by Craig Liddle (Trust Vice President)and the Present team is captained by Ian Miller. Kevan Smith (also a Trust Vice President) will be our very own Sue Barker!
There will be four rounds, including a picture round and World Cup themed round and a round where you can submit your own questions. Email your questions, with answer to me, damon.shaw@darlington-fc.net, with the subject QUESTION OF SPORT. The best ones will be used in the HOME and AWAY round!
After the success of the last fans' night the club would love to see even more of you at the next one - make sure you book early to guarantee a place!
We're back at home on a Saturday for the first time since 5th DECEMBER this week!! There are some new ticket deals through the club - 5 tickets for £65 for adults, £40 concessions, £20 under-16s and £12.50 under-10s. Family bundles are £150.
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