Football fans urged to rally on Save Darlo Day

8:00am Friday 6th April 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By David Roberts, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

FOOTBALL fans from across the region have been urged to get behind a troubled club this weekend.

In Darlington, Saturday is being dubbed as Save Darlo Day as the group trying to take the Quakers out of administration is hoping to get a bumper attendance at The Northern Echo Darlington Arena.

A range of fundraising activities is also planned in the town on Saturday.

More than 2,500 children who helped raise thousands of pounds for the club have been invited to attend the match against Grimsby to cheer on the home side.

The day has been organised by Darlington FC 1883, the group of fans trying to raise £750,000 to take over the club.

Yesterday, Craig McKenna, spokesman for Darlington FC 1883, said: “It’s vitally important to get as many people at the game as possible.

“It’s a chance to engage, or re-engage, with the football club and to come along and watch the game.

“In the past few weeks there’s been a bit of a focus on bringing money into the club in preparation for next season, but this is more a case of trying to instil support and reward the kids for the work they’ve done in these difficult times.”

Darlington schools raised more than £8,500 by holding mufti days in support of the club.

The 2,500 tickets will be given to the five schools that raised the most money. Five further schools will be given tickets for the April 14 match against Bath and, by the club’s final home game on April 28, it is hoped all schools which participated will have been given tickets.

Quakers manager Craig Liddle also hoped people would come along and support the team.

He said: “Hopefully, we’ll get a big crowd. Everybody in the community is doing really well and doing everything they can to keep the club alive and it’s important that as many people as possible come along to support the team.”

The match against Grimsby kicks off at 3pm at The Northern Echo Arena, in Neasham Road. Fans without tickets are advised to attend early in order to purchase them in sufficient time. Tickets cost £15.

Comments (35)

9:13am Fri 6 Apr 12

monteforte says...

We will be there!,,,, But the team have to play their part and put on a good show and maybe sneak a win! Should be a good crowd...
We will be there!,,,, But the team have to play their part and put on a good show and maybe sneak a win! Should be a good crowd... monteforte

9:20am Fri 6 Apr 12

monteforte says...

Costs...
Tickets should be £10 not £18 even £15 would show honest intent!
Costs... Tickets should be £10 not £18 even £15 would show honest intent! monteforte

10:55am Fri 6 Apr 12

gramps427 says...

Sadly the time for cutting the entry cost is long gone; Mr Singh should have realised that a long time ago, along with a few other realities of running a professional football club. Still he's not the only one, just look at Ranger's with another 7 big clubs likely to fall. Despite all that we need to get behind the players and the people at the club now; whatever league we play in next season this club must survive. It has carried the hope and aspirations of so many over its 100+ years history; at the moment it stands a victim of the poor judgement by men who sought to profit from the sale of land. Instead of concentrating on running a football club, properly using all its assets, they chose to ignore common sense and authorise spending they could not afford. Those who are trying to save the club should be given the backing of the town's people, all the way, not just for the instant of the appeal and 2 games.
Sadly the time for cutting the entry cost is long gone; Mr Singh should have realised that a long time ago, along with a few other realities of running a professional football club. Still he's not the only one, just look at Ranger's with another 7 big clubs likely to fall. Despite all that we need to get behind the players and the people at the club now; whatever league we play in next season this club must survive. It has carried the hope and aspirations of so many over its 100+ years history; at the moment it stands a victim of the poor judgement by men who sought to profit from the sale of land. Instead of concentrating on running a football club, properly using all its assets, they chose to ignore common sense and authorise spending they could not afford. Those who are trying to save the club should be given the backing of the town's people, all the way, not just for the instant of the appeal and 2 games. gramps427

11:00am Fri 6 Apr 12

darloatyourfeet says...

That's wrong in the article. The tickets aren't £18. They are only 15. Was changed two games ago for the remainder of the season which now makes us one of the cheapest in the league.
That's wrong in the article. The tickets aren't £18. They are only 15. Was changed two games ago for the remainder of the season which now makes us one of the cheapest in the league. darloatyourfeet

12:08pm Fri 6 Apr 12

david roberts says...

Apologies, the article has been amended to read tickets cost £15. The information was taken from the Dalington FC website which hasn't been updated to reflect the ticket price changes.
Apologies, the article has been amended to read tickets cost £15. The information was taken from the Dalington FC website which hasn't been updated to reflect the ticket price changes. david roberts

2:51pm Fri 6 Apr 12

taffydav says...

£15 to watch paint dry cheap at half the price lol what a waste of time must be some proper nutters in darlo
£15 to watch paint dry cheap at half the price lol what a waste of time must be some proper nutters in darlo taffydav

2:53pm Fri 6 Apr 12

Cypress says...

Price has always been a problem with Darlington, when it was £18 it was way over priced, because lets not forget this is non league football, even at £15 its to much, for only twice that I could get a ticket to watch Newcastle play premier league football.
Price has always been a problem with Darlington, when it was £18 it was way over priced, because lets not forget this is non league football, even at £15 its to much, for only twice that I could get a ticket to watch Newcastle play premier league football. Cypress

10:03pm Fri 6 Apr 12

quakersam says...

You still don't get it do you Cypress. The ignorance of a Premier league football fan right there people.
Do you know why you can watch Premier League for about £25/£30, have you ever thought about why? Or do you live in a bubble like the rest of them?

Premier League clubs can afford to drop prices to £30 because they get crowds in excess of 30,000, they get millions of pounds in TV money from SkySports, they get x million from the Premier League for being a part of their league.

Clubs at this level get nothing like those amounts. In League 2 you get about 350,000. In the Conference it's probably not even half that. We get average crowds of 1800/1900 so to stay afloat clubs at this level have to put prices at that level.
If you think we're expensive at £15 then your kidding yourself, how much do you reasonably expect to pay? Look at the likes of Wrexham, Luton, they pay £20 to get into the same games we're watching.

Oh and don't come at us with the £10 rubbish. Have you ever done the maths of how many more people we would have to attract through the turnstile if we were charging £10 a game instead of £15? Do you see any other Conference clubs charging £10, no you don't, because it's financial suicide.
You still don't get it do you Cypress. The ignorance of a Premier league football fan right there people. Do you know why you can watch Premier League for about £25/£30, have you ever thought about why? Or do you live in a bubble like the rest of them? Premier League clubs can afford to drop prices to £30 because they get crowds in excess of 30,000, they get millions of pounds in TV money from SkySports, they get x million from the Premier League for being a part of their league. Clubs at this level get nothing like those amounts. In League 2 you get about 350,000. In the Conference it's probably not even half that. We get average crowds of 1800/1900 so to stay afloat clubs at this level have to put prices at that level. If you think we're expensive at £15 then your kidding yourself, how much do you reasonably expect to pay? Look at the likes of Wrexham, Luton, they pay £20 to get into the same games we're watching. Oh and don't come at us with the £10 rubbish. Have you ever done the maths of how many more people we would have to attract through the turnstile if we were charging £10 a game instead of £15? Do you see any other Conference clubs charging £10, no you don't, because it's financial suicide. quakersam

10:12pm Fri 6 Apr 12

doonhamer says...

As a season ticket holder I strongly object to 2,500 kids getting free admission. I paid good money and I don't relish all the high pitched screaming that accompanies hordes of kids. I won't renew for next season to watch a level of football where the fans should be paid to attend. At least Craig Liddle now accepts the inevitable, does anyone actually expect fans of other clubs to come and watch garbage and put money into peoples pockets who can't or won't agree with others to hand it over to stabilise the club. Where did all the extra revenue from the Fleetwood and York games go ? to the administrator ?.....Waken up you gullible lot
As a season ticket holder I strongly object to 2,500 kids getting free admission. I paid good money and I don't relish all the high pitched screaming that accompanies hordes of kids. I won't renew for next season to watch a level of football where the fans should be paid to attend. At least Craig Liddle now accepts the inevitable, does anyone actually expect fans of other clubs to come and watch garbage and put money into peoples pockets who can't or won't agree with others to hand it over to stabilise the club. Where did all the extra revenue from the Fleetwood and York games go ? to the administrator ?.....Waken up you gullible lot doonhamer

10:42pm Fri 6 Apr 12

quakersam says...

Well good for you. Kids are the future of this club. Schools raised money for this club through the MUFTI days and as a community club we are giving something back to them. It's called good PR.

You think fans should be paid to watch BSN football? You are either one disrespectful idiot or on a wind up.
Another wrong point is that we're not lining peoples pockets. The Trust have nothing to do with who is running the club right now.
The extra revenue from those games went to paying off debts and meeting the running costs on a day to day basis, as well as the administrator. He has fees, he needs paying, how else do you think he's going to recoup that, now who's the gullible one?

Not renewing? Your not a true fan anyway. We don't need people like you, so cya later
Well good for you. Kids are the future of this club. Schools raised money for this club through the MUFTI days and as a community club we are giving something back to them. It's called good PR. You think fans should be paid to watch BSN football? You are either one disrespectful idiot or on a wind up. Another wrong point is that we're not lining peoples pockets. The Trust have nothing to do with who is running the club right now. The extra revenue from those games went to paying off debts and meeting the running costs on a day to day basis, as well as the administrator. He has fees, he needs paying, how else do you think he's going to recoup that, now who's the gullible one? Not renewing? Your not a true fan anyway. We don't need people like you, so cya later quakersam

11:55pm Fri 6 Apr 12

taffydav says...

west park is where all you darlo fans need sending cos you must all have mental health problems
west park is where all you darlo fans need sending cos you must all have mental health problems taffydav

11:58pm Fri 6 Apr 12

quakersam says...

Chortle chortle. You really think we care what your silly little mind thinks?
Chortle chortle. You really think we care what your silly little mind thinks? quakersam

1:18pm Sat 7 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

all too little, too late..............it will all end in tears and rightly so....this club has achieved nothing in the past 50 years, what do they expect!
all too little, too late..............it will all end in tears and rightly so....this club has achieved nothing in the past 50 years, what do they expect! laughingboy51

5:49pm Sat 7 Apr 12

Hilly_2009 says...

Achieved nothing? Little over a year ago we were at Wembley lifting the FA Trophy.

I wouldn't say that was 'achieving nothing'... would you?

Idiot.
Achieved nothing? Little over a year ago we were at Wembley lifting the FA Trophy. I wouldn't say that was 'achieving nothing'... would you? Idiot. Hilly_2009

7:36pm Sat 7 Apr 12

MrMorden says...

Save Darlo Day....Haven't we seen that headline before?

Face reality. As for the kids, the future. Yeah check back with them in a couple of years and count the number that support Man U, Chelsea, Man C, Liverpool, Newcastle, Boro, Sunderland, Arsenal...etc
Save Darlo Day....Haven't we seen that headline before? Face reality. As for the kids, the future. Yeah check back with them in a couple of years and count the number that support Man U, Chelsea, Man C, Liverpool, Newcastle, Boro, Sunderland, Arsenal...etc MrMorden

10:09pm Sat 7 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

Hilly_2009 wrote:
Achieved nothing? Little over a year ago we were at Wembley lifting the FA Trophy.

I wouldn't say that was 'achieving nothing'... would you?

Idiot.
WOW!............That
's really big time....I remember Wimbledon FC coming into League football....10 yrs later they won the FA Cup thats what i call 'achievement'....dim
e bar!
[quote][p][bold]Hilly_2009[/bold] wrote: Achieved nothing? Little over a year ago we were at Wembley lifting the FA Trophy. I wouldn't say that was 'achieving nothing'... would you? Idiot.[/p][/quote]WOW!............That 's really big time....I remember Wimbledon FC coming into League football....10 yrs later they won the FA Cup thats what i call 'achievement'....dim e bar! laughingboy51

10:22pm Sat 7 Apr 12

loan_star says...

Ok then, when was the last time Newcastle or Sunderland won a trophy? Theres only Boro that have won anything in recent years and that was ages ago.
Ok then, when was the last time Newcastle or Sunderland won a trophy? Theres only Boro that have won anything in recent years and that was ages ago. loan_star

10:33pm Sat 7 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

what i am trying to say is that Darlo have languished at the lower edge of the leagues or 60 plus years, everytime they have had a promotion (5?) they have come straight back down its not about winning cups its about progress...........D
arlington have made none
what i am trying to say is that Darlo have languished at the lower edge of the leagues or 60 plus years, everytime they have had a promotion (5?) they have come straight back down its not about winning cups its about progress...........D arlington have made none laughingboy51

11:56pm Sat 7 Apr 12

taffydav says...

and the never will cos times up losers
and the never will cos times up losers taffydav

9:57am Sun 8 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

taffydav wrote:
and the never will cos times up losers
true!
[quote][p][bold]taffydav[/bold] wrote: and the never will cos times up losers[/p][/quote]true! laughingboy51

3:40pm Sun 8 Apr 12

MrMorden says...

Yeah Newcastle have won nothing, they have been in Champions League and look like the European league this year. Not bad for being in the Premiership....where is Darlo?
Yeah Newcastle have won nothing, they have been in Champions League and look like the European league this year. Not bad for being in the Premiership....where is Darlo? MrMorden

3:41pm Sun 8 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

hopefully 'NORTHERN LEAGUE'
hopefully 'NORTHERN LEAGUE' laughingboy51

11:47am Mon 9 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

'they thinks its all over!'............ hopefully it will be..............lol
'they thinks its all over!'............ hopefully it will be..............lol laughingboy51

12:19pm Mon 9 Apr 12

loan_star says...

laughingboy51, MrMorden & taffydav, three examples of the complete tossers that dont give a monkeys for their local side but prefer to tag along with a big club on sky tv while ridiculing those that do care for their local team.
laughingboy51, MrMorden & taffydav, three examples of the complete tossers that dont give a monkeys for their local side but prefer to tag along with a big club on sky tv while ridiculing those that do care for their local team. loan_star

12:30pm Mon 9 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

loan_star wrote:
laughingboy51, MrMorden & taffydav, three examples of the complete tossers that dont give a monkeys for their local side but prefer to tag along with a big club on sky tv while ridiculing those that do care for their local team.
correct!
[quote][p][bold]loan_star[/bold] wrote: laughingboy51, MrMorden & taffydav, three examples of the complete tossers that dont give a monkeys for their local side but prefer to tag along with a big club on sky tv while ridiculing those that do care for their local team.[/p][/quote]correct! laughingboy51

2:51pm Mon 9 Apr 12

loan_star says...

At least you admit you are a tosser then!
At least you admit you are a tosser then! loan_star

4:07pm Mon 9 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

half time score Lincoln 4 Darlo Nil

loser!
half time score Lincoln 4 Darlo Nil loser! laughingboy51

9:50pm Mon 9 Apr 12

taffydav says...

yet another nail in the coffin 4-0 please put the poor old team out of its misery and close shop asap
yet another nail in the coffin 4-0 please put the poor old team out of its misery and close shop asap taffydav

1:30pm Tue 10 Apr 12

MrMorden says...

Loan-Star - Why should I support my local club, is it mandatory? Is it the club of the town/city when Im born or where I spend most of my life in? Does it have to be a football club, what about cricket or rugby or another sport?

Why should I go and see a team I dont support? By the way I dont have Sky either, nor do I goto the pub or mates house to see Newcastle.

The Newcastle reference was because of what Darlo had won routine.

I personally dont care if DFC get promoted/relegated/g
oes out of business. Its not my problem.

What annoys me is the onus being put on the people of Darlo to back the club time and time again. Doe Darlo deserver a fooball club..blah blah blah.

For you info loan_star my main sports team doesn't play in this country and I have flown out to see them play and no its Barcelona or Real etc.
Loan-Star - Why should I support my local club, is it mandatory? Is it the club of the town/city when Im born or where I spend most of my life in? Does it have to be a football club, what about cricket or rugby or another sport? Why should I go and see a team I dont support? By the way I dont have Sky either, nor do I goto the pub or mates house to see Newcastle. The Newcastle reference was because of what Darlo had won routine. I personally dont care if DFC get promoted/relegated/g oes out of business. Its not my problem. What annoys me is the onus being put on the people of Darlo to back the club time and time again. Doe Darlo deserver a fooball club..blah blah blah. For you info loan_star my main sports team doesn't play in this country and I have flown out to see them play and no its Barcelona or Real etc. MrMorden

12:32pm Wed 11 Apr 12

loan_star says...

MrMorden, you say you arent bothered what happens to Darlo and yet you feel fit to comment on the situation. Leave the "saving Darlo" to thos who do care about the club rather than passing scorn on any attempts to do so.
MrMorden, you say you arent bothered what happens to Darlo and yet you feel fit to comment on the situation. Leave the "saving Darlo" to thos who do care about the club rather than passing scorn on any attempts to do so. loan_star

1:30pm Wed 11 Apr 12

MrMorden says...

I made comments because I was sick of hearing "Does Darlo deserve of Football club". The constant cheap shots at those who live in Darlo but dont goto the games.

How many times have you heard the call to people of Darlo to come out and support the team. Once, twice, three times, more?

We even had a cheap shot of put up a sign of "Darlo, the town that killed football".

Basically there have been posts here of putting the onus of the financial problems of DFC onto the residents to help resolve it. And then when we dont we are the ones who get the cheap shots.

Yet another save DFC day. Rather than again putting the onus on the Darlo residents, perhaps those who wish to take over the club spelt out what they were going to do.

However I read someone where that one group is not handing their money over. Odd how a supporters group wont hand money over but you want us to.
I made comments because I was sick of hearing "Does Darlo deserve of Football club". The constant cheap shots at those who live in Darlo but dont goto the games. How many times have you heard the call to people of Darlo to come out and support the team. Once, twice, three times, more? We even had a cheap shot of put up a sign of "Darlo, the town that killed football". Basically there have been posts here of putting the onus of the financial problems of DFC onto the residents to help resolve it. And then when we dont we are the ones who get the cheap shots. Yet another save DFC day. Rather than again putting the onus on the Darlo residents, perhaps those who wish to take over the club spelt out what they were going to do. However I read someone where that one group is not handing their money over. Odd how a supporters group wont hand money over but you want us to. MrMorden

2:29pm Wed 11 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

At the end of the day the fans have been let down by Chairman, Directors, Owners etc....this town, sadly, does not deserve a football team, the support has never been good for years.............
At the end of the day the fans have been let down by Chairman, Directors, Owners etc....this town, sadly, does not deserve a football team, the support has never been good for years............. laughingboy51

1:31pm Thu 12 Apr 12

MrMorden says...

Actually according to football 365 website Darlo average attendance is ranked 9th in the BSL.
Actually according to football 365 website Darlo average attendance is ranked 9th in the BSL. MrMorden

3:39pm Thu 12 Apr 12

laughingboy51 says...

wow!
wow! laughingboy51

6:53pm Thu 12 Apr 12

MrMorden says...

"Wow"..what it means other teams with less attendance managed their finances better.

Or to put it differently 24 teams in the league, Darlo is 9th. So that makes another 15 towns etc THAT DONT DESERVE A FOOTBALL TEAM...right Loan Star?
"Wow"..what it means other teams with less attendance managed their finances better. Or to put it differently 24 teams in the league, Darlo is 9th. So that makes another 15 towns etc THAT DONT DESERVE A FOOTBALL TEAM...right Loan Star? MrMorden

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