Darlington FC 14/15

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I think you're right on the demotion grounds and for some of the time at least they've had one of those chairmen (Andy Connet(sp?)) that you'd warn fans of other clubs about.
I went to see us play Northwich in 04/05 when a win would have seen us crowned as champions (we lost so I missed the actual game where we won it as I was abroad that weekend). They were ground sharing with Witton Albion that season. I remember that ground being in the middle of nowhere and I was told that Northwich's new ground was just a couple of fields away from Wincham Park but even further out of town! I always found it strange that quite a small town such as Northwich would have two senior football teams.

Both grounds are on opposite sides of the canal! Northwich Vics were based in the actual town centre whereas Witton used to play towards the East side of the town towards the station where there's a massive Sainsbury's now. Both grounds are in a godawful location which is very industrial. Northwich and Witton were very different clubs too. League cast-offs used to play for the Vics who could pay a couple of hundred a week, I remember a few Crewe Alex lads playing there whereas Witton were a proper semi-pro side. I used to work with a couple of lads that played for Witton and they pretty much said that with a win bonus they got about £30 a game.

Witton were formed as a result of Vics players angry that Northwich had gone professional. There's been a lot of controversy between the sides ever since the split and my Dad told me Witton were denied entry to the NPL in the late 60s early 70s on Northwich Vics say so. Witton are far smaller than the Vics but have played as high as Conference level back in the day when good teams were rewarded with promotion rather than embarrassing tinpot moneybags like AFC Fylde.

Obviously now Vics are a mess with the Vics, 1874 Northwich and Northwich Flixton Villa arising. Witton are probably gonna be top dogs in the Salt Towns for the foreseeable future.

 

[David Curries Mullet]

Just realised I never got a welcome from the DarkSithLord. Don't feel like I truly belong here.

 

[rudebwoyben]

You can have a 'like' though, to get started.

 

[DarkSithLord]

You can have a 'like' though, to get started.

You guys crack me up.

 

[The_Boss]

Just realised I never got a welcome from the DarkSithLord. Don't feel like I truly belong here.

I was thinking this earlier, all us posters who were here before DSL have well and truly been shafted on the welcome front!

 

[Dave-Vale]

Darlo's promotion bandwagon is back on track. Come on!

 

[David Curries Mullet]

You can have a 'like' though, to get started.

Cheers. One of my best away days ever was at Underhill, the year we won in our conference winning year when you were our closest rivals. Hopefully one day will get to visit the new ground.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Cheers. One of my best away days ever was at Underhill, the year we won in our conference winning year when you were our closest rivals. Hopefully one day will get to visit the new ground.

I was there that day and your first half display was very impressive. Of course, coming a close second was sickening but everyone at Barnet could see that we did well to be level until the final minute (which was when you scored at Welling) with your lot as it was clear you were a good side.
Yes, it would be lovely to welcome you to the Hive in League 2 (or even better !)

 

[David Curries Mullet]

I was there that day and your first half display was very impressive. Of course, coming a close second was sickening but everyone at Barnet could see that we did well to be level until the final minute (which was when you scored at Welling) with your lot as it was clear you were a good side.
Yes, it would be lovely to welcome you to the Hive in League 2 (or even better !)

I think you won at Feethams that year, and were that good, the home crowd stayed behind to applaud you off the pitch. Good luck this season, although I've money on Grimsby so won't be too sad if you miss out to them.

 

[Darlofan97]

Sounding promising , don't go mad on the seating, look at Burton , 3 sides standing, as it used to be all over once. Walk before you can run, we have a 7200 stadium and it sells out once every blue moon , get your 2000 seats and whack a load of terracing in and your good to go for the football league

The current seating plans of circa 500 plus the 120 already at Blackwell Meadows, should be enough to satisfy our demands in the short-term. We can only offer 150 covered seats at Bishop Auckland. I really hope that we can raise the funds to hit a 3,000 capacity ground straight off and reach the Category B grading, there a huge benefits on and off the pitch if this is achieved.

Anyway this got me thinking, maybe, in a perverse sort of way, it was an overall positive thing to get knocked out the play-offs last season. Heritage Park is only graded up to Category C, which means we could have been in a position this season where we were pushing for promotion to the Conference North needing a Category B ground straight off for the 2015/2016 season, which may not even be possible just yet.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Plenty alternatives, easiest would be to go the Arena , or share with Boro or Pools, turning down promotion wouldn't be a good idea. The cheapest ground to upgrade would be Synners in an emergency

 

[Darlofan97]

Darlington FC 5-2 Droylsden FC

(Alan White 09', Adam Mitchell 20', Nathan Cartman 30', 49', Graeme Armstrong 33')

Attendance: 1,236

The best first half I have seen us play since dropping down the leagues 3 years ago, which saw us lead 4-1. Second half was routine and lacked tempo with Scarborough (A) in mind on Monday.

A good crowd of 1,236 too.

 

[WeAreDarlington]

Scarborough 1-2 Darlington

(Liam Hatch 65', Nathan Cartman 76')

Attendance: 1,118.

Fantastic win today against a good Scarborough side.

Play-off place now confirmed, next up is Mossley (H) on Saturday.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Good to see that Hatch is still scoring a few, the maniac that he is.

 

[WeAreDarlington]

I don't think The HITMAN will be with us next season. He's only been utilised from the bench this season although he has put in some big performances when called upon.

But yeah, he's a maniac.

 

[Darlofan97]

Planning permission APPROVED for our move to Blackwell Meadows. Absolutely fantastic news. Looks like an initial 2,500 capacity with potential to expand to 3,000.

Now we just need to see the results of our fundraising initiative, which smashed its initial target of £225k within 2 weeks. Target was then set to £300k for a category B ground, with the deadline set to tonight.

 

[Nansan]

Planning permission APPROVED for our move to Blackwell Meadows. Absolutely fantastic news. Looks like an initial 2,500 capacity with potential to expand to 3,000.

Now we just need to see the results of our fundraising initiative, which smashed its initial target of £225k within 2 weeks. Target was then set to £300k for a category B ground, with the deadline set to tonight.

Thats fantastic news, hope the build goes forward without any issues and you guys are back in Darlington for the beginning of next season.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Does that include escalators ?

 

[DarkSithLord]

Thats excellent news! Congrats

 

[Railway Blue]

What's 'raw water?'

Sad to see Northwich Victoria down in Step 4 as well. They were continuous Conference stalwarts until a few years ago. They should never have left the Drill Field (why on earth the oldest football stadium in the world wasn't preserved I don't know)

The Northwich team that plays at Step 4 is the team that was high-jacked by Jim Rushe. Most of their problems stem from his running of the club. They lost the Victoria Ground (decent ground despite it's location) because of the debt they built up during his mismanagement.

The fan-owned Northwich club 1874 Northwich play at Step 5 (NWCL) after being promoted from Step 6 last season. They currently play at Winsford Utd's ground. Their crowds are around 300, which is 3 times more than Rushe's team. I think most people up here see them as the legitimate heirs to Northwich Victoria.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

The Northwich team that plays at Step 4 is the team that was high-jacked by Jim Rushe. Most of their problems stem from his running of the club. They lost the Victoria Ground (decent ground despite it's location) because of the debt they built up during his mismanagement.

The fan-owned Northwich club 1874 Northwich play at Step 5 (NWCL) after being promoted from Step 6 last season. They currently play at Winsford Utd's ground. Their crowds are around 300, which is 3 times more than Rushe's team. I think most people up here see them as the legitimate heirs to Northwich Victoria.

Which one does Gannon manage?

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Whats Jordan Connerton like for Kendal? Some folk on our message board keep bringing his name up as someone we should be looking at.

He shouldn't be playing at our level. He bagged an 18 minute hattrick against us the other week.

From memory, he had an unbelievable season for Lancaster 09/10 when they battled us the for the title in the Unibond North. Then went higher (want to say Crewe) and it didn't work out. Strange that he went straight back to Unibond's after Crewe.

I shared a dorm with him for a couple of weeks in Oz. He was signed by Baker I think but said Gradi didn't want him and just concentrated on the youth products and promoting them. He was about so sign for Motherwell before Gannon left. I think kendal pay big wages so alongside a day job it works out for him pretty well.

 

[AdamStag]

So between Darlington and Salford City - interesting. Looks like a very close ran thing

 

[Railway Blue]

Which one does Gannon manage?

Jim Gannon is manger of of Jim Rushe's team.

 

[Darlofan97]

Thats fantastic news, hope the build goes forward without any issues and you guys are back in Darlington for the beginning of next season.

Thank you, I really think we can kick on once we've moved home. The scope for increased crowds/sponsorship is huge.

Does that include escalators ?

Unfortunately not!

 

[Darlofan97]

So between Darlington and Salford City - interesting. Looks like a very close ran thing

Indeed, I expect Salford to win their 3 remaining games, this requires us to win our remaining 4 games. If this is to happen, then both teams will finish on 95 points but our superior goal difference will see us win the league.

We play; Mossley (6th) (H), Lancaster City (12th) (A), Warrington Town (8th) (A) and New Mills (21st) (H).

 

[Jemfy]

Planning permission APPROVED for our move to Blackwell Meadows. Absolutely fantastic news. Looks like an initial 2,500 capacity with potential to expand to 3,000.

Now we just need to see the results of our fundraising initiative, which smashed its initial target of £225k within 2 weeks. Target was then set to £300k for a category B ground, with the deadline set to tonight.

Is the facility able to upgrade to category A? I can see a big push by Darlo up to the conference national after moving back home. Hate to see it stall because the site cannot be upgraded.

 

[Darlofan97]

Is the facility able to upgrade to category A? I can see a big push by Darlo up to the conference national after moving back home. Hate to see it stall because the site cannot be upgraded.

It 'should' be able to be upgraded to Category A standard, yes.

The main problem we face in upgrading the ground is the Northumbrian Water water pipe which runs from the North-West corner down to the South-East corner, it also needs 13 metre easement either side which cannot be built on. This means around 45% of the West side of the ground cannot be developed, nor can about 50% of the South side. The East side is where the tin-shed is going to be, and half of the South side is being developed to seating.

That is probably a lot to take in, but what we conclude is that the whole of the North side (clubhouse side) can still be developed. Terracing can also be placed in the South-West and possibly South-East too. Half of the West side of the ground can also be developed.

In short, yes I think we can get up to Category A grading. To get to Football League standard however I believe that we will need a major clubhouse development. I'll leave some pictures below - congratulations on AFCRD's promotion too! -

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Poolies always poked fun at Reynolds escalators , but I for one would love one at the Vic. BORO have lifts you know

 

[Destruction]

Indeed, I expect Salford to win their 3 remaining games, this requires us to win our remaining 4 games. If this is to happen, then both teams will finish on 95 points but our superior goal difference will see us win the league.

We play; Mossley (6th) (H), Lancaster City (12th) (A), Warrington Town (8th) (A) and New Mills (21st) (H).

I think I'll go to the Lancaster game given what is riding on it. What sort of numbers are you likely to take?