Showing they care (From The Northern Echo)

Showing they care

2:40pm Friday 20th January 2012 in Comment

WE are seeing a truly remarkable response to the campaign to save Darlington Football Club.

Since the surreal events of Wednesday – when the club was declared dead and then revived amid emotional scenes – people have shown their support from all over the world.

Goodwill messages and pledges of support have come in from as far away as Russia and the US.

Football supporters from as far afield as Southampton and Scotland have contacted us to say they are making their way to Darlington for Saturday’s crucial home fixture against Fleetwood Town. And people in the local community are coming up with so many offers of help that the club is struggling to cope.

Camerons Brewery is the toast of the club after agreeing to donate all profits from beer sold at the ground on Saturday to the appeal.

Rockliffe Hall luxury hotel has come forward to provide Craig Liddle and his players with overnight stays, spa sessions and rounds of golf.

And Darlington public relations company Recognition has paid £1,000 to sponsor the team sheet.

These are only three examples of the way local businesses are trying to help.

Tickets for Saturday’s game are selling well at both the club and The Northern Echo’s Darlington office and it is clear there will be a bumper crowd to help swell the coffers.

It is great to see and the momentum needs to continue for the next home game against York.

Indeed, it needs to continue well into the future if Darlington Football Club is to stabilise its precarious position in the professional ranks of football.