QUAKERS LATEST: Darlington to play at Bishop Auckland, not Shildon (From The Northern Echo)
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QUAKERS LATEST: Darlington to play at Bishop Auckland, not Shildon
6:23pm Wednesday 30th May 2012 in News
By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter
Bishop Auckland football club
DARLINGTON FC will play at Bishop Auckland – not Shildon – next season, it has been announced.
Darlington FC 1883 (DFC 1883) has agreed a groundshare deal with Bishop Auckland FC after concerns emerged about the safety of Shildon’s Dean Street ground, which the club had agreed to use.
Fans’ company DFC 1883 made the announcement tonight, at the same time confirming that it would appeal against its demotion to the Northern League.
Denis Pinnegar, chairman of DFC 1883, said he had spoken to the chairman of Shildon AFC to advise that Darlington FC would not be groundsharing with the club next season.
He added: “This is in no way meant to be disrespectful to Shildon – they are a lovely club and nice people, but we have significant concerns about safety, bearing in mind we will be bringing several hundred fans to the ground.”
Mr Pinnegar said Bishop Auckland’s Heritage Park had recently received provisional approval to become a Category C ground, which meant it would be suitable to hold Evo-Stik Premier games.
Mr Pinnegar added: “This decision was not taken because of our appeal to the FA regarding our placement in the Northern League, but it will potentially enhance our appeal.”
Terry Jackson, chairman of Bishop Auckland FC, welcomed the partnership with the Quakers.
He said: “It’s fantastic news – it will provide us with important extra income and Darlington with a place to play next season.”
DFC 1883 said it would ask the Football Association (FA) to reconsider its decision to treat the club as a new entity, which must be placed no higher than step five of the football pyramid.
The club has got until a week on Friday to submit the appeal, but DFC 1883 hopes it can be submitted by the end of the week.
Craig McKenna, DFC 1883 project manager, said: “Unfortunately, the details of the appeal can’t be shared until after the appeal has been heard, but we’ve got a three-point appeal.
“Until the appeal is heard and upheld, we’ve got to continue on the basis that we will be playing Northern League football next year.”
In further news, hopes emerged today that the club would be able to keep its name next season.
The FA said on Monday that it was “highly likely” the club would have to change its name.
However, Mr McKenna today announced the club could keep its name, adding: “The FA were very, very positive and supportive and it’s a misconception that they have it in for Darlington FC.”
The Northern Echo was unable to obtain official confirmation of this development tonight, with both the FA and Durham FA saying no decision had been made.
Meanwhile, Gareth Howe, Shildon FC club secretary, was left frustrated by Darlington’s claim that the move was due to safety concerns.
He said: “We wish them all the best and we hope things work out for them. However, I resent the way they’re using health and safety as an issue when our ground meets health and safety standards for the Northern League.
"It suggests there’s something wrong with our ground, but our ground meets Northern League specification.
"We are inspected by the FA every year and if there was an issue it would’ve been addressed.”
Comments(107)
Jolly Roger
says...
6:41pm Wed 30 May 12
As it is becoming a shambles now, as we the supporters are beginning to wonder what is happening.
So come on tell us and don't keep us in the dark as it seems to be happening at the mo.
al_quaker
says...
6:48pm Wed 30 May 12
Jolly Roger wrote:I don't really understand how 1883 are keeping you in the dark? They've explained the decision in the article.
I wish the owners of Darlington would make there minds up and stick to what they say.
As it is becoming a shambles now, as we the supporters are beginning to wonder what is happening.
So come on tell us and don't keep us in the dark as it seems to be happening at the mo.
I think 1883 have been very open with us, and they are quick to answer any questions posted on darlofc.co.uk
quakersam
says...
6:54pm Wed 30 May 12
We've been told by the FA that Shildon doesn't have it and that we can't do the work necessary, so we've gone to Bishop Auckland as they already have the EvoStik grading. Stop twisting on, if your following what's happening then you will know what's going on
harleyjasmine
says...
7:01pm Wed 30 May 12
al comes to mind ,and if the fa give darlo time ,woodley sport should be given time too.
elvispresleysking
says...
7:03pm Wed 30 May 12
Worried about a couple of hundred fans turning up? Don't make me laugh! If Darlo 1883's board hadn't already thought about the impact of the number of fans wanting to watch the club at whatever ground they play at then they shouldn't be doing the job. This would already have been discussed and agreed with Shildon otherwise why sign a lease in the first place?
This is purely and simply to do with the grading of the ground and Darlo 1883's appeal regarding what league they will play in.......
monteforte
says...
7:03pm Wed 30 May 12
Still no answers to most important serious questions being put to "ask;DFC1883"
morgan1
says...
7:04pm Wed 30 May 12
Looking at any appeal this may make a difference but it could be too late.
harleyjasmine
says...
7:06pm Wed 30 May 12
jabdc5, the land that's still trying to recover from the last tory government.
says...
7:06pm Wed 30 May 12
quakersam
says...
7:12pm Wed 30 May 12
doddy2010
says...
7:15pm Wed 30 May 12
If they were aiming for a higher tier, why sign with Shildon in the first place? Surely someone must have known it wasn't graded high enough.
quakersam
says...
7:19pm Wed 30 May 12
Not always right
says...
7:24pm Wed 30 May 12
John Justice
says...
7:24pm Wed 30 May 12
laughingboy51
says...
7:25pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine
says...
7:26pm Wed 30 May 12
....................
.
monteforte
says...
7:29pm Wed 30 May 12
What concerns me and numerous others is DFC1883 said it's clear objective is to be playing football in Darlington in the 2013/14 season whatever league we may be in, Question; Will we be at Bishop longer than a year now?
quakersam
says...
7:31pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine wrote:Since when did we think we were too good for the NL? Don't start with that again.
rumour is 10 k to leave? nice bit of buisness for the original cradle of the railway town,and yes absolute stupidity to go to bishop if you have no chance of going in the evostick?if i was amos i would make your lives hell because u think ya to gud for the nl..................
....................
.
We shouldn't of been relegated that far in the first place but what's done is done.
If we put in an appeal it's because we want to play at the highest level possible, that is no reflection on the Northern League whatsoever.
Not always right
says...
7:33pm Wed 30 May 12
quakersam
says...
7:34pm Wed 30 May 12
monteforte wrote:I'm not a groundsman so not sure on that question. I don't really have any comment to make on that one but what difference does it make to Shildon's surface? Both pitches are getting twice the normal amount of football on them.
You could be right Quakersam but what about harleyjasmine's concerns about the Bishop Aucklands playing surface any comments ?
What concerns me and numerous others is DFC1883 said it's clear objective is to be playing football in Darlington in the 2013/14 season whatever league we may be in, Question; Will we be at Bishop longer than a year now?
As for the season after next, I don't know. We'll have to see what happens over the coming year
holmesc1
says...
7:46pm Wed 30 May 12
monteforte
says...
7:48pm Wed 30 May 12
quakersam
says...
7:50pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine
says...
8:09pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine
says...
8:16pm Wed 30 May 12
monteforte
says...
8:16pm Wed 30 May 12
A) to terminate the lease with Shildon
B) To share with Bishop.
Does anyone know?
monteforte
says...
8:22pm Wed 30 May 12
billabong76
says...
8:24pm Wed 30 May 12
doonhamer
says...
8:27pm Wed 30 May 12
quakersam
says...
8:33pm Wed 30 May 12
quakersam
says...
8:40pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine wrote:You haven't had to face what 1883 have had to face over the last few months, when you have then come back and criticise
start what again m8,did or didnt you call shildon on a forum a s**t hole ,and yes you should have been relegated all those levels coz u havent got a ground son and you were up to your eyes in debt ,you chose shildon as you were running out of time ,but come on is your chairman that stupid to come out and say about the health and safety ,how many times did he have a walk about son ...but great deal for shildon 10k ..and like u and your fans they have just blew 10k for nothing ,if that was my buisness and somebody blew my cash then heads would roll.
harleyjasmine
says...
8:43pm Wed 30 May 12
quakersam
says...
8:47pm Wed 30 May 12
I can't see the NL turning round and saying that to be honest. Firstly they'd have an odd number of teams in the 1st Division, they'd have to re-do the fixtures again.
Darlington will be a payday for the Northern League whether you like it or not, and it will raise awareness of the league considerably. Do you honestly believe they would give that up?
harleyjasmine
says...
8:53pm Wed 30 May 12
IonlySpeaktheTruth
says...
8:55pm Wed 30 May 12
doonhamer
says...
8:55pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine wrote:Mike Amos, Chairman of the Northern League understands the turmoil Darlo have gone through. Whitley Bay, Spennymoor United and Durham City have all left the NL and returned for various reasons in recent years. The NL will be delighted to have Darlo in their ranks but if they were to appeal and win, I'm certain the NL would give Darlo their blessing and wish them good luck. Amending fixtures will not be a problem for them, they were going to operate with an odd number of club (23) when they accepted Durham back into the fold before the FA placed Darlo with them as well. Local football officials/clubs have a great record of helping each other when one of their bretheren is in trouble. Remember what Hartlepool did for Boro when the gates were locked at Ayresome Park.
just been on a forum and read if the fixtures are due out on sat ?obvious you have gone to bish for the appeal and say for instance you get rejected again ,the northern league may turn round and say enough is enough you said you were at shildon now you not .you are not messing us about either. (northern league)
jabdc5, the land that's still trying to recover from the last tory government.
says...
9:00pm Wed 30 May 12
Friendoffeetham
says...
9:01pm Wed 30 May 12
tonyboynton
says...
9:08pm Wed 30 May 12
What's all this Quote "Son" "Kidder" about
from harleyjasmine..... My Grandad used to speak like that to me in 1985.
quakersam
says...
9:09pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine wrote:Did I say we were any different? I don't think Darlo are bigger than we are either. We were quite a small club in the Football League, but we are a big fish with the level we have been demoted too, that's a fact.
quakersam ,shildon was in the same boat bout 9 yrs ago ,bishop have been in the situation and spenny so why are you any different pal..cause you think darlo is bigger than they think ,wake up smell the coffee kidder !
harleyjasmine
says...
9:27pm Wed 30 May 12
tonyboynton wrote:i can say what i like lad ,anyway back to sammy so are you a new club then or the old one ?as you said you dont think darlo are bigger than yous,no wonder the fa are baffled .oh and tony say something worth while mate.
Just read all the comments,
What's all this Quote "Son" "Kidder" about
from harleyjasmine..... My Grandad used to speak like that to me in 1985.
harleyjasmine
says...
9:30pm Wed 30 May 12
doonhamer wrote:what like hartlepool did to billingham hmmmmmmmm
harleyjasmine wrote:Mike Amos, Chairman of the Northern League understands the turmoil Darlo have gone through. Whitley Bay, Spennymoor United and Durham City have all left the NL and returned for various reasons in recent years. The NL will be delighted to have Darlo in their ranks but if they were to appeal and win, I'm certain the NL would give Darlo their blessing and wish them good luck. Amending fixtures will not be a problem for them, they were going to operate with an odd number of club (23) when they accepted Durham back into the fold before the FA placed Darlo with them as well. Local football officials/clubs have a great record of helping each other when one of their bretheren is in trouble. Remember what Hartlepool did for Boro when the gates were locked at Ayresome Park.
just been on a forum and read if the fixtures are due out on sat ?obvious you have gone to bish for the appeal and say for instance you get rejected again ,the northern league may turn round and say enough is enough you said you were at shildon now you not .you are not messing us about either. (northern league)
harleyjasmine
says...
9:41pm Wed 30 May 12
Dfc1965
says...
10:05pm Wed 30 May 12
extratime
says...
10:12pm Wed 30 May 12
Forget additional seating put in a big top to keep the clowns in
charlie74
says...
10:14pm Wed 30 May 12
Darlogirl1 wrote:If its so boring then dont read it! As for the abseil I can assure you that everything was done above board, the company providing the equipment was legit and fully insured and all health & Safety precautions were adhered too. As for leaving it to the professionals ... its the rich professionals who got us into this mess in the first place
Boring boring boring ! If Darlo had these so called hard core fans they wouldn't be here now !
Have been reading the hackling hags on twitter as well & one is saying she Bishop is ok but surrounding areas are rough ! Phw! Take a look at how u live Lve ! This is never going to succeed as these idiots think they no what there talking about and they dont ! Surprised they have not held another sponsored abseil ...sure one of the women was pregnant by the size of her belly ..surprised they let her do it ... Leave this to the professionals let them take over and move Darlo forward!!
Not always right
says...
10:27pm Wed 30 May 12
morgan1
says...
10:28pm Wed 30 May 12
Not rich professionals, just rich know it all's
charlie74
says...
10:34pm Wed 30 May 12
morgan1 wrote:I stand corrected :-)
Charlie74,
Not rich professionals, just rich know it all's
freelance
says...
10:35pm Wed 30 May 12
harleyjasmine
says...
10:36pm Wed 30 May 12
Not always right wrote:got your user name spot on there mate!!!!!!
Jasmine Harley, do you come from the town that once presumed a simian to be acting on behalf of the French state?
Darlogirl1
says...
10:37pm Wed 30 May 12
laughingboy51
says...
10:40pm Wed 30 May 12
jabdc5, the land that's still trying to recover from the last tory government. wrote:how true!
I really like the prudent financial work of DFC 1883 , so far they've thrown away £100,000 on buying nowt from the administrator and now given Shildon a nice £10,000 donation. Quaker fans needn't worry about going bust after next season....with this lot in control it will be well before that.
harleyjasmine
says...
10:42pm Wed 30 May 12
freelance wrote:thats if they have any wheels on to get to the supermarket.fair play to darlo if they have plenty of money to throw about ,
One consolation for the thousands who can't get into Heritage Park at Tindale Crescent is the cheapest petrol in Co Durham at any of the two adjacent supermarket filling stations
charlie74
says...
10:44pm Wed 30 May 12
Darlogirl1 wrote:Nope, no one pregnant would of been able to abseil that day. The guy who owns the equipment owns his own firm, it was his name that would of been at risk and his insurance = his whole livelihood.
Charlie74...... Would love to not read but stuffed down my throat every day.... Total joke Northern Echo "breaking news" no the breaking news should of been the story you put below (parents charged with murder) .... One of the woman looked around 6 months preg ... Black hair....
I appreciate that not everyone wants to know what is happening to Darlington Football Club, but there are many who do, and to be fair this is breaking news in the sports section
freelance
says...
10:46pm Wed 30 May 12
extratime
says...
10:47pm Wed 30 May 12
laughingboy51 wrote:Seconded My money wont be re invested theyve obviously got enough to throw away
jabdc5, the land that's still trying to recover from the last tory government. wrote:how true!
I really like the prudent financial work of DFC 1883 , so far they've thrown away £100,000 on buying nowt from the administrator and now given Shildon a nice £10,000 donation. Quaker fans needn't worry about going bust after next season....with this lot in control it will be well before that.
QuakerZone
says...
10:54pm Wed 30 May 12
Bishop Auckland recently received a C grading which allows them to play in the EvoStik premier, despite an appeal I believe the decision to place us in the Northern League will be upheld.
Darlogirl1
says...
11:19pm Wed 30 May 12
charlie74
says...
11:20pm Wed 30 May 12
monteforte
says...
11:21pm Wed 30 May 12
charlie74
says...
11:30pm Wed 30 May 12
Shildon Casual
says...
11:31pm Wed 30 May 12
charlie74
says...
11:35pm Wed 30 May 12
jock maclean
says...
12:15am Thu 31 May 12
travelling
monteforte
says...
12:27am Thu 31 May 12
DarloArenaB17
says...
12:54am Thu 31 May 12
doonhamer
says...
7:41am Thu 31 May 12
charlie74 wrote:Yes access and facilities are excellent. Glad disabled fans have been taken into consideration
I`m unsure at the moment as only aware of what is in the public domain, however seeing as Bishop is newer I would imagine that disabled access will be better.
doonhamer
says...
7:48am Thu 31 May 12
DarloArenaB17 wrote:As I stated before, even if appeal is lost continuity is the main thing and I personally think we will be at Bishop for more than one season and as you rightly say, the playing side is in good hands for next season and the Evostik can be attained by promotion. If as has been rumoured, Shildon are to receive £10k for the breakdown of the groundshare agreement I don't think you would find anyone at Dean Street thinking that they had been treated badly.
Sadly Darlington FC have moved the goalposts yet again. Maybe they will achieve Evostick! God loves a trier, however they have made a real pigs ear of the way Shildon have been treated. They should have done this ages ago. It's a mess of their own making. Good luck though, they will play good footie under Martin Gray and Bri Atkinson of that I have no doubt
charlie74
says...
7:53am Thu 31 May 12
jock maclean wrote:Unsure of your sources and they are wrong. I think if you are going to put `facts` like this on a newspaper`s website you should be publishing your sources for your protection legally speaking
I have it on good authority Darlington knew two weeks ago they were in the Northern League, as the management team could not possibly take on the job and also run their school of excellence as it ment any other league ment too much
travelling
charlie74
says...
8:00am Thu 31 May 12
monteforte wrote:Latest news from the Trust is positive
charlie74 re;The new Darlo supporters trust when are they going to release the £50 k into the football club.?
http://www.darlotrus
t.org/newsd
Would like to point out that like Quakersam I`m just a supporter
mensamoo
says...
8:50am Thu 31 May 12
Suspect Package
says...
8:52am Thu 31 May 12
Why not change it to Darlington Town ?
charlie74
says...
8:54am Thu 31 May 12
doonhamer
says...
9:20am Thu 31 May 12
charlie74 wrote:That is probably the most important thing, to have remained as Darlington FC. I would think everyone would share your sentiments.
Darlington 1883 reflects how long Darlington Football club has been around. However that is just the companies name as of yesterday its been published we will still be known as Darlington Football Club :-) (I for one am very happy about that)
mensamoo
says...
9:36am Thu 31 May 12
Sorry, but they are taking the
doonhamer
says...
10:13am Thu 31 May 12
mensamoo wrote:Sorry, but I don't understand your beef with the FA. We broke the rules and were punished accordingly. As soon as 1883 agreed a groundshare with Shildon their hands were tied. As Mike Amos said yesterday, if they really wanted to hammer us we could have ended up in the Teesside or Wearside Leagues. 1883 have corrected their wrong and I applaud them for that and if and I appreciate it's a big if, Raj Singh has kept his promise then I would give us a reasonable chance of winning that appeal. The Pyramid system in football works well in this country and the standard of stadia is of paramount importance. Unfortunately we at Darlington bucked the normal trend and built one two big for our population. The FA can't be blamed for any of that.
The FA are toying with us. Tomorrow's echo will have us called Toytown Utd and wearing a pink strip with green stripes. They will force us to play on broken glass at midnight.
Sorry, but they are taking the
the-big-yin
says...
10:56am Thu 31 May 12
jock maclean wrote:i told you 4 weeks ago on this section.....contacts at the f.a.
I have it on good authority Darlington knew two weeks ago they were in the Northern League, as the management team could not possibly take on the job and also run their school of excellence as it ment any other league ment too much
travelling
he now says you have no chance with the appeal....
stuck in the northern league for 8 years.......bishop will soon get sick of their pitch getting churned up week in week out....also where are darlo going to train? where is all the car parking for the games and where is the extra security going to get paid from?
plus if the fans try and use the supermarkets car parks there will be loads of clamped cars....great business for the supermarkets security firms...l.o.l.
doonhamer
says...
11:13am Thu 31 May 12
the-big-yin wrote:Too many unsubstantiated rumours have caused all sorts of problems............
jock maclean wrote:i told you 4 weeks ago on this section.....contacts at the f.a.
I have it on good authority Darlington knew two weeks ago they were in the Northern League, as the management team could not possibly take on the job and also run their school of excellence as it ment any other league ment too much
travelling
he now says you have no chance with the appeal....
stuck in the northern league for 8 years.......bishop will soon get sick of their pitch getting churned up week in week out....also where are darlo going to train? where is all the car parking for the games and where is the extra security going to get paid from?
plus if the fans try and use the supermarkets car parks there will be loads of clamped cars....great business for the supermarkets security firms...l.o.l.
...... not quite sure if YOU want Darlo to be successful or not................b
ut you have answered your own question about where the extra money will come from by acknowledging the fact that we will have a good support next season..............
....also this rubbish about the pitch churning up, Feethams, prone to the odd bit of water now and again thanks to the Skerne, hosted 23 home League games when we were in division four, 20 home reserve league games in the Wearside plus FA Cup, League Cup, Friendlys, Monkwearmouth Charity Cup, Sunderland Shipowners Cup and Wearside League Cup fixtures for several seasons. I don't remember ever failing to complete our fixtures. A little bit of muck never hurt anyone, seems like you as a modern day nice flat pitch type fan, could have a problem with the "mans" game.
bishops_man
says...
12:19pm Thu 31 May 12
harleyjasmine
says...
1:46pm Thu 31 May 12
doonhamer wrote:when were you last there my friend ?as i was there towards may be the last game of the season,and you mark my words that pitch was completely knackered.you say a bit of muck never hurt anyone ?so why was there a cup game abandoned in the wearvalley league as it was classed as dangerous because the field was starting to cut up badly,heritage park was a lot worse than the game what got abandonded...fact
the-big-yin wrote:Too many unsubstantiated rumours have caused all sorts of problems............
jock maclean wrote:i told you 4 weeks ago on this section.....contacts at the f.a.
I have it on good authority Darlington knew two weeks ago they were in the Northern League, as the management team could not possibly take on the job and also run their school of excellence as it ment any other league ment too much
travelling
he now says you have no chance with the appeal....
stuck in the northern league for 8 years.......bishop will soon get sick of their pitch getting churned up week in week out....also where are darlo going to train? where is all the car parking for the games and where is the extra security going to get paid from?
plus if the fans try and use the supermarkets car parks there will be loads of clamped cars....great business for the supermarkets security firms...l.o.l.
...... not quite sure if YOU want Darlo to be successful or not................b
ut you have answered your own question about where the extra money will come from by acknowledging the fact that we will have a good support next season..............
....also this rubbish about the pitch churning up, Feethams, prone to the odd bit of water now and again thanks to the Skerne, hosted 23 home League games when we were in division four, 20 home reserve league games in the Wearside plus FA Cup, League Cup, Friendlys, Monkwearmouth Charity Cup, Sunderland Shipowners Cup and Wearside League Cup fixtures for several seasons. I don't remember ever failing to complete our fixtures. A little bit of muck never hurt anyone, seems like you as a modern day nice flat pitch type fan, could have a problem with the "mans" game.
harleyjasmine
says...
1:52pm Thu 31 May 12
asupporter
says...
5:06pm Thu 31 May 12
stiv
says...
5:13pm Thu 31 May 12
harleyjasmine
says...
5:15pm Thu 31 May 12
asupporter wrote:gud comment mate
Funny old game isn't it? Lots of people on here criticising Shildon now just as many criticising Bishop. Seems like 1883 can't do anything right for some people. Under the new set up at least we will be able to have a say in the running of the club - there wasn't much chance of that with any of the others. Mike Amos is right, we could have been in the Wearside League, and we do have something to look forward to next season now. If we get the team right there will be lots of good days in the Northern League and we can believe there is a way back to the Conference. Newport County went bust in the middle of the season, were expelled from the Conference and survived and prospered in exile without a ground of their own. Now they are back with their own ground and finalists in the FA Trophy. If they can do it so can we.
Idontknowaboutyoubut
says...
6:19pm Thu 31 May 12
Such groundwork takes time,and costs money.I suppose Darlos groundshare could have a bearing on that,helping with the funding of remedial work.I take the point that the playing surface is dodgy,so maybe a positive leg-up for Bishops forthcoming?
DarloJosh
says...
7:50pm Thu 31 May 12
At the same time, lets not forget these people are basically volunteers and are local business people not football experts. they are undoubtedly doing their level best. A word of advice would surely be to get someone, possibly an experienced willing secretary to come in and steady the ship!
monteforte
says...
9:55pm Thu 31 May 12
subject: Re: Heritage Park Bishops Ground Pictures and Info Source
take a look on here,,
http://www.flickr.co
m//photos/bishopafc/
sets/721576299872808
12/show/
monteforte
says...
9:59pm Thu 31 May 12
season ticket::
Adult £150 standing, £195 seated
Concession: £80 standing, £115 seated
Aged 6-16: £35
Free under 5's
Matchday pricing: standing is £8 per adult, £5 concessions and £2 for 6-16. Free under 5's
IonlySpeaktheTruth
says...
11:03pm Thu 31 May 12
extratime
says...
7:34am Fri 1 Jun 12
Hardly any saving on st anyway even spenny as reigning champions charge less at the gate
Fleece the fans to pay off old clubs debts great business practise that
As said above 1883 need someone on board who knows the score
morgan1
says...
10:23am Fri 1 Jun 12
If they wish to donate at the gate or leaving then thats the way it should be.
The CIC subscription which has not been mentioned yet should have been the way to get a bit of extra cash not fleecing the fans for Northern League Football.
Sorry another mistake to win back the fans (WHICH IT WONT)
Admission should be FREE donate if you wish.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
quakersam
says...
12:34pm Fri 1 Jun 12
extratime wrote:How do you propose we move back up the leagues, pay our debts and finance a move back to Darlo then smartarse? Would actually love to see you try to run a football club
Just shows how outbof touch 1883 are Pools fans get L1 footbal on their doorstep in a decent ground with an excellent pitch for less than Darlo community club yeah right
Hardly any saving on st anyway even spenny as reigning champions charge less at the gate
Fleece the fans to pay off old clubs debts great business practise that
As said above 1883 need someone on board who knows the score
quakersam
says...
12:36pm Fri 1 Jun 12
morgan1 wrote:Free? Are you for real? So how does the club make money then? How does it pay players? How does it finance itself...
To be honest, based on money being raised by the fans for the club, in reality for all this mess their should be free admission in this league to get as many fans back as possible.
If they wish to donate at the gate or leaving then thats the way it should be.
The CIC subscription which has not been mentioned yet should have been the way to get a bit of extra cash not fleecing the fans for Northern League Football.
Sorry another mistake to win back the fans (WHICH IT WONT)
Admission should be FREE donate if you wish.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
Back in the real world, each league actually has a minimum charge so you actually can't charge nothing
morgan1
says...
12:50pm Fri 1 Jun 12
Fine make a minimum charge but not something which is greater than League 1 football.
Given what the fans have been though there should be some promotional games where it is nigh on Free to attend.
The club is going to use the CIC for its inital year 1 funding and will probably have annual CIC subscription.
If no one can understand how to do this it is very sad, but you need the lowest cost possible to make it worthwhile traveling and to encourage as many young fans as possible.
The club has to recreate a bigger fan base to encourage them all into the CIC so you have to feet through the gate, so it needs to be as financially attractive to attend as possible for non CIC/fans groups as possible.
I seriously know how to get bums on seats and how to capture them into the club once you have them, but the first thing you have to do is get them there.
quakersam
says...
1:01pm Fri 1 Jun 12
I know the season tickets / matchday charges are above other clubs but other clubs don't have debts to pay, they don't have to fund a way back to the town. I don't think its fair to compare us with Pools, Pools have IOR who are footing the losses season on season, they get TV money, money from the Football League, Darlington now have none of this. If we make a loss we have nobody to foot that bill. We will pay our bills through the gate receipts.
I think that they've priced the matchday accordingly, fans said on Uncovered they'd be happy with £8, it gives us that slight advantage over other clubs to be able to progress upwards through the leagues should we achieve promotion.
They've also priced kids tickets really well at £2, meaning a Dad can go with his son for the magic tenner which is great value.
I think that will be a big attraction for Under 16's and having Under 5's free will hopefully bring in fans of the future.
With 23 games in the league next season the standing adult season ticket price works out at £6.50 a game, which again is really decent value if your comparing with Spennymoor's gate price of £6.
morgan1
says...
1:26pm Fri 1 Jun 12
fans on uncovered are die hard fans, they are not the public, do you only want the die hard 600 ish fans to attend.
The money you are talikng about raisng if you have 600 ish as public not fans then its about 100K for the season.
What I would do is simply ask the CIC and fans to pay a subscription of £100 annually, in the CIC according to an out of date figure is 200 ish but lets assume its 600, so thats £60K
Now if you could get 600 new fans at say £4 a ticket to the home matches you have rasied an extra £50K if we can also encourage half of these new members of the public to become CIC members then you have got another 300 members at 30K.
This gives a net gain of £40K but more importantly an extra 300 CIC members.
Keep the costs low at the gate, the sales pressure high and convert members of the public into Fans and CIC members.
I wish the club 1883 board would stop thinking solely about the current fan base, I know they are very important to the club but they need to think about how to grow it and get them into the CIC as that appears the only way they are going to grow at this point , then you need more fans.
War with the FA
says...
4:54pm Fri 1 Jun 12
extratime
says...
5:23pm Fri 1 Jun 12
quakersam wrote:Ask 1883 not me their foolish decision to take on debts and buy valueless assets has meant that they now need to shaft fans to pay over the odds for NL football
extratime wrote:How do you propose we move back up the leagues, pay our debts and finance a move back to Darlo then smartarse? Would actually love to see you try to run a football club
Just shows how outbof touch 1883 are Pools fans get L1 footbal on their doorstep in a decent ground with an excellent pitch for less than Darlo community club yeah right
Hardly any saving on st anyway even spenny as reigning champions charge less at the gate
Fleece the fans to pay off old clubs debts great business practise that
As said above 1883 need someone on board who knows the score
So the plan is pay more now to watch poor quality just in case we go up in future when well then shaft you again by saying prices are going up because we are now at higher level do they think well fall for that ?
Sorry but theyre having a laugh all this on top of yet more fundraising and begging bowls for investment
Already another 70k in debt now as a director of 1883 has put this up as fans ouldnt raise it by yesterdays deadline
Another 200k by end June no chance or do we let same person bale us out agian so much for community club doomed to fail before it starts wonder if 70k is loan or a gift ?
monteforte
says...
8:24pm Fri 1 Jun 12
"I think that they've priced the matchday accordingly, fans said on Uncovered they'd be happy with £8," .
Yeah.,, is that a proper poll? ...Uncovered don't fully represent our fan base !
i believe only approx 40 uncovered posters made suggestions as regards ticket pricing as of Tues 29th may 2012?
11 said £8,
8 said less than £8,
the rest said more than £8 ,some went as high as £15 . One poster super_les_mcjannet went further ;" We need to be the most expensive Northern League Team"..
This person i believe is the new Advisor for the new Darlington Supporters Trust ,Lee Dixon..
Privileged few comes to mind.....
Idontknowaboutyoubut
says...
9:06pm Fri 1 Jun 12
Remember,in the Northern League,all the games are local derbies.!
asupporter
says...
7:20am Sat 2 Jun 12
doonhamer
says...
10:32am Sat 2 Jun 12
asupporter wrote:Things probably weren't done correctly at first, hence fans apprehension at what was happening, but I agree with your comments, give credit where credit is due and your hopes/predictions for the future are spot on. Meanwhile the subject of ground admission prices, although a thorny problem for some, seem to me to be just about right. The incentive is there for the younger supporter (Father/Mother with Son/Daughter for a Tenner can't be bad. Yes if we want quality players and promotion the money has to come through the gate as well as sponsorship etc. Most NL grounds have seated accommodation for less than 300 people. Most have covered accommodation for no more than 600 including seats. Fans used to the luxurious surroundings of the Arena might find Whitley Bay on a cold foggy east coast in November decidedly unattractive. The younger element however, who are the nucleus of our away support, will not have a problem with this and these are the people we must attract to the club. As stated above, it's all about a winning team, in whatever league or division. Keep that going and the majority of a shirt sleeved crowd on a balmy August afternoon at Heritage Park will stick with the club. Inclement weather has a big effect on NL attendances because of lack of amenities at grounds, but when clubs are successful, eg Whitley Bay on their FA Vase runs, four figure crowds were the "norm" irrespective of conditions. 1883s board obviously see things that way and intend to hit the ground running, nobody can complain at that and has stated above fans need to get behind the club and the team now.
The best way to attract more supporters to watch football at any level is to have a winning team. Winning teams cost money even in the Northern League and it seems to me that with the prices announced 1883 have their offer about right. After everything that has happened I didn't think I would be looking forward to the new season but I am now. 1883 have appointed a good manager who should be able to put together a very competitive team. In the Northern League every match will a local derby and have a cup tie atmosphere. It won't be easy because everyone will be out to beat us but it will be great entertainment and a great opportunity to rebuild the club into something we can be proud of. Stop complaining and get behind the club and the team now. We could easily have lost everything and it is down to 1883 that we didn't.
bishops_man
says...
1:46pm Sat 2 Jun 12
doonhamer
says...
3:03pm Sat 2 Jun 12
bishops_man wrote:Record crowd for an NL game in the modern era, eg since the halcyon days of Bishops, Blyth and Crook etc ?
Well would you believe it, first game of the new season : Bishop Auckland vs Darlington, Sat 18th August. This should be a right cracker !!!
the-big-yin
says...
5:10pm Sun 3 Jun 12
bishops_man wrote:how strange ????
Well would you believe it, first game of the new season : Bishop Auckland vs Darlington, Sat 18th August. This should be a right cracker !!!
mike amos up to his old tricks again....
northern league commitee fixing the fixtures again....allegedly..
.
what are the odds on that fixture being drawn out first...l.o.l.
bet mike amos is at that game freeloading again...who ate all the free pies and drank the free drink....?????
mike amos...allegedly....
..
quakersam says...
6:39pm Wed 30 May 12