CLUB GUIDE: Darlington

Full name Darlington Football Club

Nickname(s) The Quakers

Founded 1883

Ground 96.6 TFM Arena, Darlington

Darlington F.C. is an English football team based in the English town of Darlington, currently playing in Football League Two. The club’s nickname is the Quakers, in reference to the religious movement that had a historic influence on the town.

The club plays at the 96.6 TFM Arena, a 25,000-seat stadium that opened in 2003. The club previously played at Feethams, which is located close to the historic town centre. The new ground is named after a local Radio Station under a sponsorship deal. Originally named the Reynolds Arena, after former chairman George Reynolds, it was renamed the New Stadium in April 2004, subsequently the Williamson Motors Stadium, and received the current name in November 2005.

The club was placed in administration on 23rd December 2003 but was taken over and came out of administration by the end of Summer 2004.

George Reynolds had built such a huge stadium – one of the largest and most impressive outside the Premiership – because he was intent on bringing Premiership football to Darlington. But he had failed to invest enough money on players, and never appointed a competent enough manager, to have any real hope of the club reaching the Premiership.

Darlington were relegated to the Conference in 1989 after they finished bottom of the Fourth Division. Just before this setback, Brian Little had been appointed manager. He took them back into the Football League at the first attempt as Conference champions, and a year later they won the Fourth Division title. Little then moved to Leicester and Darlington’s spell in the Third Division lasted just one season. They have remained in the bottom tier of the league ever since.

During the summer of 2002, Darlington made approaches to sign two world famous players – Paul Gascoigne and Faustino Asprilla – but both bids failed.

History

Darlington Football Club was founded at Darlington Grammar School in 1883. In 1889 it joined the new Northern League, which they won in 1896 and 1900. The club turned professional in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League.

In 1919/1920 the side managed to finish second in the North Eastern League and the following year were champions. This was a stroke of good look as their victory coincided with the forming of the Northern third division, which Darlington were elected to. Their first season in Division 3 was a successful one and they ended up in 2nd place. In 1925, they were champions and won promotion to division 2 but were relegated two seasons later.

In 1957/1958 they attained their best ever FA Cup run, reaching the last 16. This was not enough to stop them being put into the new division 4 with the reorganisation of the League. In 1966, they won promotion to Division 3 after finishing the season as runners-up, but were relegated the following year. In 1982, the club faced a financial crisis but survived thanks to fundraising efforts of the town. Three years later the club won promotion by finishing third in the league under manager Cyril Knowles.

In 1989, the team finished bottom of the league and was relegated to the Conference. However, they were only there for one season before winning promotion once more under manager Brian Little. The next season they were again champions winning division 4 – but lasted only one season in Division 3.

They have remained in the Third Division (now Football League Two) to this day. In the 1995/1996 and 1999/2000 seasons, they reached the playoff final, losing on both occasions.

In 2003 as part of the Farewell to Feethams celebrations. The club programme ran a competition to decide which Darlington`s best ever team would be. The top 11 players that made the team were: Mark Prudhoe, Ron Greener, Craig Liddle, Kevan Smith,John Peverell, Andy Toman, Alan Sproates, David McLean. Alan Walsh, Marco Gabbiadini and Colin Sinclair. Marco Gabbiadini won the overall award and was voted Darlington’s Greatest Ever Player. During his 2 seasons at Darlington, Gabbiadini scored 50 goals