Darlington

Darlington is a football (soccer) club from England.

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Darlington Football Club are an England association football team based in the England town of Darlington, currently playing in Football League Two. The club's nickname is The Quakers, in reference to Religious Society of Friends that had a historic influence on the town. Darlington have remained in the bottom tier of the league since 1992; they are the division's second-longest inhabitants after Rochdale A.F.C.. Their local rivals are Hartlepool United F.C., Carlisle United F.C. and York City F.C..

History

Founding & Pre-War

Darlington Football Club was founded at Darlington Grammar School in 1883 and won the Durham Senior Cup in the same year. In 1889 it joined the new Northern League (football), which they won in 1896 and 1900. Darlington turned professional in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League.

In 1919-20 in English football the side managed to finish second in the North Eastern League and the following year were champions. This was a stroke of good luck as their victory coincided with the forming of the Northern Section of the Football League Third Division, which Darlington were elected to. Their first season in the Third Division was a successful one and they ended up in second place. In 1925, they were champions and won promotion to the Football League Second Division but were relegated two seasons later.

Post-War

In 1957-58 in English football they attained their best ever FA Cup run, reaching the last 16. This was not enough to stop them being put into the new Football League Fourth Division with the reorganisation of the League and the end of the Third Division's Northern and Southern Sections. In 1966, they won promotion to the Third Division after finishing the season as runners-up, but were relegated the following year. In 1982, Darlington faced a financial crisis but survived thanks to fundraising efforts of the town. Three years later Darlington won promotion by finishing 3rd in the league under manager Cyril Knowles. Darlington spent two seasons in the Third Division, their finish of 13th in 1986 their highest position attained in the Football League since the introduction of the present four-division structure in 1958, but they were relegated 1986-87 in English football.

In 1989, Darlington finished bottom of the league and was relegated to the Conference. However, they were only there for one season before winning the Football Conference title and returning to the Football League under manager Brian Little, who had been appointed in January 1989. A second successive promotion followed in 1990-91 in English football, this time to the Third Division as Fourth Division champions, but Little was then lured away to Leicester City F.C. and he was succeeded by Frank Gray. Darlington were relegated in bottom place 1991-92 in English football, and Gray was dismissed.

Since then, they have reached the play-off final on two occasions. The first visit to Wembley Stadium (1923) was in 1996 against Plymouth Argyle F.C., however they were beaten through a Ronnie Mauge goal. They returned to Wembley in 2000 to face Peterborough United F.C. after throwing away automatic promotion which had at one point seemed a certainty. After a comfortable 3-0 aggregate semi-final win over Hartlepool United F.C., Quakers arrived in confident mood, however they wasted a host of chances and were again undone by a single goal, this time from Andy Clarke.

The 1999-2000 in English football was a notable one for Darlington. It was the first season under the ambitious new chairman George Reynolds (business), Also, they became the first team to lose a tie in the FA Cup 1990s and yet still qualify for the next round. Manchester United F.C.'s involvement in the FIFA Club World Championship meant they did not enter the FA Cup. To decide who took their place, a "lucky losers" draw was held containing the 20 teams knocked out in the second round; Darlington were selected and lost their third-round tie 2-1 to Aston Villa F.C. at Villa Park.

2000-2007

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

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

In the summer of 2003, Darlington moved to its new stadium, the The Darlington Arena. However, a poor start to the season saw manager Mick Tait sacked and replaced by the popular David Hodgson (footballer), returning for his third spell in charge. On 23 December, 2003 however, Darlington went into administration and there were fears that Darlington would go out of business. At one stage there were rumours that Darlington would sell its new stadium and return to Feethams.

In January 2004, a charity game was organised featuring famous footballers such as Paul Gascoigne, Bryan Robson and Kenny Dalglish. This match attracted a crowd of over 14,000 and helped keep Darlington going. Despite all the off the field traumas, the team's performances on the field improved significantly. At one point, relegation looked to be inevitable but Hodgson turned things around with Darlington playing some excellent football along the way.

The end of the season saw George Reynolds (business) hand over control of Darlington to the Sterling consortium with Stewart Davies taking over as chairman. Davies became popular with the supporters due to his fan-friendly approach, a stark contrast to that of Reynolds. After coming out of administration in September 2004, Hodgson signed a number of experienced players such as Craig Hignett, Alun Armstrong (footballer) and Clyde Wijnhard; fans affectionately dubbed them the Galáctico. The Quakers were in strong contention for the play-offs for most of the season but in the end just missed out on goal difference to Northampton Town F.C. and had to settle for 8th place in Coca-Cola League Two.

In 2005-06 in English football, Hodgson ditched the 'Galacticos' and brought in younger players like Simon Johnson (footballer), Carlos Logan and Anthony Peacock as well as putting reserve andf youth team player Sean Reay in the squad. After, a great start to the season, Quakers faded and again found themselves scrapping for a play-off place. For the second season in a row they finished 8th.

Expectations were high for the 2006-07 in English football following the signings of experienced players such as Martin Smith (footballer), Michael Cummins and Gaetano Giallanza as well as putting reserve and youth team player Scott Pocklington in the squad. These expectations were raised even further after the first two games when Quakers found themselves top of the league following victories over Macclesfield Town F.C. and Accrington Stanley F.C.. However, this was followed by a poor run of form which culminated in a change of manager.

On Saturday 30 September 2006, David Hodgson (footballer) was suspended by Darlington following a run of poor results and a possible approach from A.F.C. Bournemouth, leaving Neil Maddison and Martin Gray (footballer) in joint temporary caretaker charge for up to two weeks while an internal investigation was carried out. Hodgson was subsequently dismissed shortly after. Former Doncaster Rovers F.C. manager Dave Penney took over the manager's job with Martin Gray as his assistant.

Penney enjoyed a fantastic start to life at Darlington after winning his first six games. Unfortunately, Darlington was struck by a horrendous injury and illness crisis which decimated almost the entire playing squad and subsequently led to a terrible run of results. After Christmas, Penney went about strengthening the squad. Particularly, significant were the loan signings of David Wheater and Ian Miller (footballer). Quakers looked a much stronger side and went on a thirteen match unbeaten run. However, once Wheater and Miller returned to their parent clubs, many of the old defensive frailties returned. In the end, Darlington had to settle for 11th place. On a positive note, it meant that the Quakers had finished in the top half of the table for three seasons in a row for the first time since the 1920s.

2007 onwards

Not long after the season had ended, Penney began rebuilding his squad to challenge in 2007-08 in English football season. The main area for concern, the defence, was addressed with the signings of Neil Austin, Alan White (footballer), Steve Foster (footballer born 1974), Ian Miller (footballer), Scott Wiseman, John Brackstone, Ryan Valentine and reserve and youth team player Wayne Clarke was added to the squad. They also signed goalkeepers Andy Oakes (footballer), Przemyslaw Kazimierczak and Nick Liversidge, midfielders Rob Purdie, Kevin McBride (footballer), Xavier Barrau and strikers Paweł Abbott, Ian Harty and Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, and the loan signings of goalkeeper Corrin Brooks-Meade, defenders Lee Ridley, Paul Mayo and Ben Parker (footballer), midfielders Chris Palmer, Johann Smith, Joe Colbeck, Bryan Hodge, Jason Kennedy and Craig Nelthorpe and strikers Matt Green (footballer), Curtis Main, Richie Foran and Kevin Gall. Darlington's main aim that season was to be promoted to Football League One, but this did not happen after Darlington lost 5-4 on penalties in the play-off semi-final against Rochdale A.F.C. after both of the ties ended 2-1 to both home teams respectively and 3-3 on aggregate. On a positive note, it meant that the Quakers had finished in the top half of the table for four seasons in a row after finishing in 6th place. The plans for the new training ground and leisure complex are still in the mix, with the go-ahead expected later in 2008.

Not long after the season had ended, Penney began rebuilding his squad to challenge in 2008-09 in English football season. Jason Kennedy became the first new signing for the new season after signing for the Quakers after an impressive loan spell last season with the League Two club. The following second, third, fourth and fifth Quakers signings were Clayton Fortune, Adam Griffin, David Poole (footballer) and Adam Proudlock as well as putting reserve and youth team players Corey Barnes, John McReady, Simon Todd, Jason Bradley, Danny Groves, Jonathan Hewitson, Josh Gray, Michael Smith and Dan Riley in the squad. Since then he and Sean Reay have gone out on loan for the season to gain first-team football experience with Blyth Spartans A.F.C.. Then Penney signed Brentford F.C. goalkeeper Simon Brown (footballer born 1976) on loan for four months to act as cover for injured goalkeeper Andy Oakes. On 8 August 2008, Tommy Wright was sold to Aberdeen F.C. for a fee believed to be around £100,000. This allowed Penney to sign midfielder Robin Hulbert from Port Vale F.C. his sixth signing, and get striker Billy Clarke from Ipswich Town F.C. on loan for a month. On 21 August, Penney signed international Liechtenstein midfielder Franz Burgmeier making that his seventh summer signing in this years transfer window. On 28 August Penney also signed out of favour Peterborough United striker Liam Hatch on loan for three months. On November 1, striker Richie Foran re-joined Darlington for a second stint on loan for a month, to cover for the other on loan injured striker Liam Hatch. On 27 November, striker Huddersfield Town F.C. midfielder Michael Flynn (footballer) came in for a month on loan. The next day on 28 November, midfielder Sébastien Carole signed a permanent deal for Darlington after being released from Leeds United A.F.C. in the summer. In early December 2008, Darlington announced that local businessman Raj Singh (business) as its first ever vice chairman. It was understood that Mr Singh had been involved with Quakers for a number of weeks prior to the announcement. George Houghton although remained the majority shareholder of the club. On 9 January, 2009 striker Adam Proudlock left Darlington by signing a two-year deal with fellow League Two club Grimsby Town after an impressive loan spell. On 14 January, they signed Carlisle United F.C. striker Danny Carlton on loan until the end of the season. The next day on 15 January, they signed Colchester United F.C. goalkeeper Dean Gerken on loan for a month. On 29 January, they signed Wrexham A.F.C. defender Carl Tremarco on loan for a month. Darlington officially went into administration on 25 February, claiming that the economic shift as well as being unable to draw crowds to their stadium as the main reasons and due to the rules of the FA Darlington had ten points deducted from the league table. The current staff are now searching for a potential investor. On 30 April, Dave Penney resigned as manager, so that he could take up the managerial position at Oldham Athletic A.F.C.. On the next day 1 May, assistant manager Martin Gray took up the post as caretaker manager for the final game of the season against Chester City F.C. which they won. On a positive note, it meant that the Quakers had finished in the top half of the table for five seasons in a row after finishing in 12th place.

On 3 May, a charity game was played featuring famous footballer Paul Gascoigne, as well as former players Bernie Slaven and Marco Gabbiadini. This match attracted a crowd of over 3,000 and helped keep Darlington going. On 7 May, it was announced that no buyer had been found for the football club . On 8 May, it was revealed Darlington's administrators Brackenbury Clark and Company had released the "majority of the first-team squad" from their contracts to cut costs, with immediate effect, as well as Darlington's coaching staff and administrative staff including caretaker manager Martin Gray, leaving Craig Liddle and Neil Maddison as joint temporary caretaker managers. On 20 May, it was announced that former chairman George Houghton was returning to Darlington as chairman and has appointed former Middlesbrough F.C. boss Colin Todd as manager. On 17 June, it was announced that former Hull City A.F.C. striker Dean Windass would be joining Darlington as assistant player manager after speculation in the previous month about it, when he was approached by manager Colin Todd, he finally signed the deal after looking at but turning down a similar position when he was approched by Port Vale manager Micky Adams. On 2 July, it was announced that manager Todd had only been left with just three players after the mass exodus of players had either left or been released by Darlington who were goalkeeper Nick Liversedge, captain (association football) and defender Steve Foster and other defender Ian Miller so Todd said as well that he had to bring in ten new players who were who were goalkeeper David Knight (footballer), defenders Craig James (footballer), Matty Plummer and Ben Starosta, midfielders James Bennett, Chris Lumsdon and Gary Smith (footballer born 1984) and Jeff Smith (footballer) and striker Lee Thorpe, but with the earlier arrival of assistant player manager Dean Windass that made up the ten. Todd also said that he had to put six of the younsters in the squad who were in the previous squad from last season as well to who were midfielders Josh Gray, Danny Groves and Simon Todd and strikers Jason Bradley, Curtis Main and Dan Riley. On 23 July it was announced that defender Paul Arnison was expected to sign for Darlington after this week when they were to come out of administration after leaving Bradford City A.F.C.. On the same day it was announced that manager Todd was intersted in signing Middlesbrough F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. strikers Jonathan Franks and Martyn Waghorn respectively on loan. Todd also confirmed he wants to sign former Hartlepool United and Bradford City defenders Darren Williams and Mark Bower respectively, both of whom played in a friendly game the previous night. However, trialists Craig James and Ben Starosta wouldn't be staying at Darlington after failing to impress during pre-season. But after playing in a pre-season friendly draw with Scottish-side Hamilton Academical F.C., which finished 0-0, Bower signed for Darlington along with fellow former Bradford City defender Arnison..

Grounds

Darlington plays at the Darlington Arena, known for sponsorship reasons as the Darlington Arena, a 25,500-seat stadium that opened in 2003 and has been previously been known as the Reynolds Arena, the New Stadium, the Williamson Motors Arena, the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena and the Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena. Though the stadium can seat up to 25,500 people, Darlington is restricted to just 10,000 because of county and local planning regulations. Darlington played at Feethams from 1883 to 2003, which was located close to the historic town centre and has since been demolished.

Mascot

Darlo Dog is the clubs official team mascot. He is a dalmation and wears the home strip on matchdays. He was once ejected from the stadium for climbing on advertising hoardings in front of BBC cameras.

Honours

- Winners, Durham Senior Cup, 1883
- Champions, Northern League (football), 1895-96 in English football
- Champions, Northern League, 1899-00 in English football
- Champions, North Eastern League, 1912-13 in English football
- Champions, North Eastern League, 1920-21 in English football
- Runners-up, Football League Third Division North, 1921-22 in English football
- Champions, Third Division (North), 1924-25 in English football
- Winners, Football League Third Division North Cup, 1933-34 in English football
- Runners-up, Third Division (North) Cup, 1935-36 in English football
- Runners-up, Football League Fourth Division, 1965-66 in English football
- Third placed, Fourth Division, 1984-85 in English football
- Champions, Football Conference, 1989-90 in English football
- Champions, Fourth Division, 1990-91 in English football

Records

Club

- Best League performance: 15th, Second Division, 1925-26 in English football
- Best FA Cup performance: Fifth Round, 1910-11 in English football, 1957-58 in English football
- Best League Cup performance: Fifth Round, 1967-68 in English football
- Most League points: 85, 1984-85 in English football (three points for a win) 59, 1965-66 in English football (two points for a win)
- Most League goals: 108, 1929-30 in English football
- Most League wins in one season: 25, 1965–66
- Best League win home: 9-2 v. Lincoln City F.C., 7 January 1928
- Best League win away: 7-2 v. Durham City F.C., 22 October 1921
- Best FA Cup win: 13-1 v. Scarborough F.C., 24 October 1891
- Best League Cup win: 4-0 v. Halifax Town F.C., 29 August 1966
- Best League run undefeated: 17, from 27 April 1968
- Undefeated League games home: 36, from 14 April 1923
- Undefeated League games away: 14, from 27 April 1968 and 9 December 1995
- Best run of League wins: 6, from 6 February 2000
- Best run of home League wins: 8 (three times)
- Best run of League draws: 5 (three times)

Player

- Most League appearances: 439, Ron Greener (1955–67)
- Most League goals in total: 87, Alan Walsh (1978–84)
- Most League goals in a season: 39, David Brown (1924–25)
- Most International appearances: 7, Franz Burgmeier (Liechtenstein national football team) (2008–09)
- Most League goals in a match: 4, David Cork (footballer born 1962) 6-1 v. Boston United F.C., 13 February 1990 4, Billy Clarke 6-0 v. Macclesfield Town, 30 August 2008
- Youngest ever Goalscorer: Curtis Main, 16 years 246 days (2008–09)

Players

Coaching & Medical Staff

- First Team Manager: Colin Todd
- Assistant Player Manager: Dean Windass
- Physiotherapist: Will Short
- Head of Youth: Craig Liddle
- Centre of Excellence Manager: Neil Maddison
- Club Doctor: Dr R. S. Charlton
- Dental Surgeon: Nigel Kendrew
- FITC Officer: Kevin Stonehouse

Accrington Stanley, Aldershot Town Football Club, Barnet, Bournemouth, Bradford City, Brentford, Bury, Chester City, Chesterfield, Dagenham & Redbridge, Darlington, Exeter City Football Club, Gillingham, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, Luton Town, Macclesfield Town, Morecambe, Notts County, Port Vale, Rochdale, Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town, Wycombe Wanderers