Is This The End?

Things have moved so quickly for Darlington Football Club . . . unfortunately, in the wrong direction.

We could now have played our very last game - as ex-chairman Raj Singh called in the Administrator on January 3, 2012, as he was no longer prepared to fund the football club. The Administrator has indicated that it could be as early as this week that he becomes the liquidator of the club and, with that, 128 years of history could be lost forever.

The Darlington Football Club Rescue Group, including a former chairman and associate director, has been assembled to see if there is a solution involving the land / stadium owners, local MP Jenny Chapman, administrator and Darlington Council. We are actively pursuing all avenues to keep this football club alive. Group’s latest statement:

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=762

There were emotional scenes at Barrow yesterday as over 1,000 Darlington fans made the journey to see the team lose 3-0. The coach was paid for by the Northern Echo. A fund-raising scheme by fans on the internet messageboard Uncovered was to pay for a pre-match meal for the players – it spiralled beyond belief and £8,000 was handed over to manager Craig Liddle to help all players, some who hadn’t been paid for two months.

If you’d like to contribute to an on-going fund, then you can use Paypal here:

scott@ukrivals.net


And if you want to read what it REALLY means to be a football fan, have a read of this “call to arms” by Darlo fans Richard Heslop. His message went viral all over the football world:

 http://www.darlofc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15733

And the response from all over the footballing world has been equally astounding.

Yesterday’s kick-off was delayed to allow the Darlington fans time to get into the ground – we were lucky enough to grab Neil Wainwright, former player and life-long legend, to jump into the queue with us. He’d travelled, with his leg in a brace due to injury, to be with the fans where his career took off – an emotional time for him, too.

Look at the YouTube video which Neil Wainwright compiled, fantastic (you’ll need hankies):

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=759

The Barrow club, stewards and fans were an absolute credit, too. Unfurling a banner which read - “A football club is for life, not just for business” - how true!!! And even the tongue-in-cheek chant from their fans of “Is this all you bring away?” was roundly applauded. At the end of the game the strains of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” brought tears to many. A big thank you to the footballing family member – Barrow!

Here’s Uncovered’s Scott Thornberry’s take on the day:

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=763

And for those with Sky Sports News, they are presently showing a long video about the plight of Darlington Football Club.

Pete
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The Come On Darlo Prediction League seems incidental in these times, the league tables are attached. And should this be the last game for the club then, as per the original rules (see attached) there will be a draw for the top three places and the prize money.

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Sad Note

It’s a sad time for the Come On Darlo Prediction League as news was received that one of our good friends Lance Ireland passed away this weekend after a long illness. Lance had been a generous supporter of this youth team fund-raising vehicle since its inception – indeed you may have seen many references over time to famous film stars as managers, including his beloved Rhonda Fleming whom he met in person and spent some time with in the USA in 2011.

Lance adopted Darlo from his old Army days after becoming disillusioned with the Premier League, travelling from Birmingham and becoming an integral part of DAFTS – Darlington Away Far Travelling Supporters – an acronym which somehow describes his wonderfully eccentric nature. His evangelism on behalf of Darlington brought many “converts” in The Midlands – those from there who knew the Darlo scores as well (if not better) than their own club.

It will be a quieter and much less interesting place with Lance around – we send our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends. Please visit the DAFTS website for a more complete eulogy than I could ever give -




Pete

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The return game against Gateshead saw Darlo lose to an injury time goal 1-0 – such a poor result for the total effort and commitment from the whole team who were a credit to the 2,500 crowd who turned up to support them.

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Only one correct score from Dan and Jean and only a few managers with the correct result - Howard Hall, Ian Bonsall, Jane Lucas, John Berry 3, Liam Pape, Maureen Taylor, Mr and Mrs Payne, Oliver Bainbridge, Toby Corum 2. So hardly any change in the league table.

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Lets hope for a bright and happy New Year for all – and for our football club, too:



Pete
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