I USUALLY write the Darlo Diary during the middle of the week following a Saturday game. Being a typical football fan, emotions can run high shortly after a game and so I try to give myself a little breathing space to have a ponder before committing thoughts to words. I’ll be honest, I was having a job thinking of anything good to write about last Saturday’s draw with Worcester City bar a wonderful header from young Harvey Saunders. However, I’d just about got there when out of the blue, I received the devastating news that a dear friend, Russell Jones, had died.

Russ was a larger than life character, both figuratively and literally. Even if you didn’t know him personally, you would probably recognise him. Those who did know him knew how warm and lovely he was. He had an infectious smile, a wicked sense of humour and more than anything else, he was Darlo through and through despite his unmistakable Welsh roots.

Being in my mid-30s, I’m pretty lucky that I haven’t had too many friends pass away and so to lose Russ so unexpectedly knocked me for six. It got me thinking about how we’d become friends over the last six or seven years and more importantly the role football plays in forming such bonds.

When you’re an exiled fan, you’re usually geographically isolated from most Darlo fans so you get used to travelling to games on your own or maybe with one other. It can be a solitary mission supporting your side. When I returned to the North-East, I quickly befriended Russ and the other Darlo Tykes through a mutual friend. As part of a larger group, you begin to see a different side to the game. All of a sudden, match days are as much to do with the social gathering as they are about watching 22 blokes kick a ball around a pitch. During the terrible 2011-12 season, as the results got worse, the games became more tolerable as the social by-product became ever more obvious. When it became apparent the following season would be played in the Northern League, there was no doubt that anyone would drop by the wayside such was the enjoyment of each other’s company. Instead, it was embraced and match days in the company of good friends became even more enjoyable.

It’s fascinating how a simple game can bring people together. On any given Saturday afternoon, a group of people can come together with a common goal, share anecdotes, have a pint or two and by the end of the day, even if the result wasn’t the right one, still do it all over again the following week. The game brings people together who would not ordinarily expect to cross paths. I’m sure most will agree it is through watching Darlo that we form some of our strongest friendships.

I am delighted and honoured to have been able to call Russ a good friend, spending the majority of my Saturday afternoons in recent years with him either at home games or on our travels to new places we’d never even heard of prior to our Northern Premier League adventures. He will be a big loss to the club and to those who knew him but what is certain is that he will never be forgotten.