Houghton’s plans hit by Wembley dream
WALKING
through the
reception area,
underneath the
main stand at
the Darlington Arena, was a
silver-haired man, wearing a
smile as broad as Neasham
Road. For all his success as a
property tycoon, George
Houghton's demeanour was an
indication of the satisfaction he
felt as chairman of Darlington
Football Club.
His wealth is such that he
should be able to buy his own
gold-plated ticket for this
Saturday's FA Cup final if he so
desired. Nothing, though, could
compare with being able to take
Darlington to the home of
football nine days later -
although he could actually miss
the club's big day.
It's a scenario which rests
high in Houghton's thoughts.
When Portsmouth take on
Cardiff City for the right to
walk up the steps to hold the FA
Cup, Houghton is convinced he
will be still celebrating a
Quakers' triumph that seals
their own place in a Wembley
showdown.
Ian Miller's late, late winner
in the first leg of Darlington's
League Two play-off semi-final
with Rochdale has given the
town a lift.
And while the tie is far from
over, there is a confidence,
particularly from the club's
approachable chairman, that
the Quakers are on their way to
Wembley.
It is 26 months since
Houghton took over at the
Arena. And it is eight years
since another self-made North-
East millionaire named George
led Darlington to Wembley
promising Premier League
football.
Reynolds' namesake
Houghton, though, has an
opportunity to lay the ghost of
2000 to rest.
But while Reynolds was seen
walking the running track in
the wake of that 1-0 defeat to
Peterborough on a rain-sodden
Friday night under the Twin
Towers, Houghton could be an
unlikely absentee at new
Wembley if Dave Penney's men
finish the job they have started.
"My dreams are all about
Wembley," said the 68-year-old.
"I'm a lucky guy and I believe
we will be there. You need luck
in this game and I think we will
win on Saturday at Rochdale.
"Unfortunately I will miss
Wembley, if we get there,
because I have to go to America
to get a vein taken out of my
leg. I've also got a bit of
business in New York to tie up,
but I will have to see if it's
possible to fly back."
Given how he is relatively
new to Football League
chairmanship, it is difficult to
imagine how he could miss his
first taste of glory during his
reign at the Arena.
Just a couple of months after
arriving at Darlington he
outlined a five-year plan to gain
Championship football - and
that plan included promotion
out of League Two this season.
Many suggest it should have
already been achieved but, after
winning just two of their last 12
league matches, the mere fact
they are in the driving seat
ahead of Saturday lunch-time's
trip to Spotland is an advantage
worth cherishing.
"My opinion is that we will
win it. I know it's away but our
results have been pretty good
away from home," said
Houghton, reflecting on 11 away
wins in League Two this season.
"I'm proud of the team, the
whole town, the fans that
turned out. It was fantastic to
be at that game on Saturday.
"To have those fans behind us
has taken time but I feel we are
there. I wanted the players to
put on a good performance and
they did. It was a good
advertisement for the football
that is played here.
"The hair on the back of my
neck was standing on end,
that's what you need. It was an
incredible feeling."
Despite the importance of the
occasion, the 8,057 crowd was
only the fourth biggest
attendance in the 25,000-seater
stadium's four-and-a-half-year
existence. Nevertheless, as one
punter claimed, those that were
there witnessed, arguably, the
venue's greatest game.
Just seconds after the PA
system bellowed out that fans
should make sure they have
their Elton John tickets, it soon
became clear football was the
only thing on everyone else's
mind inside the ground.
Sir Elton's visit to Darlington
this summer is expected to
attract 15,000 but, with a
Wembley date in sight, more
than that figure could leave the
town two weeks today.
It has taken Rochdale,
however, 34 years to climb out
of the bottom division, so there
will be a determination on their
part to put up a strong fight
come the return leg.
And with Dale manager Keith
Hill celebrating his 39th
birthday on the same day, there
will be an added incentive for
the Spotland legend to make
sure his party is not spoiled.
There may have been men on
stilts and circus acts on display
on Saturday, but Penney's focus
will be on ensuring he is not the
one looking red-faced.
On FA Cup final day, forget
Portsmouth and Cardiff. For
those connected with
Darlington, there is only one
date at Wembley on everyone's
mind.
Monday, May 26, 2008 could
yet be the momentous day
Darlington gain promotion
from the bottom tier of English
football for the first time since
winning the title in 1991.
9:06am Monday 12th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
Comment
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
