FRIENDS and family of a Newton Aycliffe footballer who died on the pitch have paid tribute to his “special presence” and “amazing personality” after marking a month since his death by holding a special tribute event.

Father of three Darren Scott passed away on Saturday, February 12, during a football match between his Cobblers Hall over 40s team and South Shields Catholic Club after having an unexpected medical emergency.

At the time, the 40-year-old, who only joined the Newton Aycliffe side at the start of the season, was helped by his teammates, opposition players and the emergency services, who all heroically battled to save his life, but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

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In the aftermath of his death, an outpouring of tributes and emotional messages have been made from Mr Scott’s family, friends, and the wider Newton Aycliffe community.

Now, a month on from his tragic death, Mr Scott’s teammates and loved ones gathered at Sunnydale Leisure Centre in Shildon this morning to pay one last tribute to the footballer.

The memorial event, which took place at 9.45am, saw members of the Cobblers Hall squad gather to remember ‘Dazza’ before their weekend fixture with Sunderland-based Mill View.

The Northern Echo: Players from Cobblers Hall over 40s join Newton Aycliffe U15s and Darren's wife Donna, and three children Declan, Noah and Layna. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Players from Cobblers Hall over 40s join Newton Aycliffe U15s and Darren's wife Donna, and three children Declan, Noah and Layna. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

During the emotional tribute, Darren’s wife Donna and his three children, Declan, 17, Noah, 15 and Layna, 9, joined the team to hand over a defibrillator to the Newton Aycliffe U15s; a team that Darren had coached for six years and one that his son Noah is part of.

While his wife has highlighted that she’ll “never know” if a defibrillator would have saved her husband’s life, providing the lifesaving piece of kit to other teams in and around Newton Aycliffe is “vital”.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, she said: “Darren was an amazing person, a family man and he was always so funny.

The Northern Echo: Darren's family with a defibrillator that was donated this morning to Newton Aycliffe U15s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Darren's family with a defibrillator that was donated this morning to Newton Aycliffe U15s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“The commitment he showed to Cobblers Hall and his coaching was amazing. We used to turn out every week to see him play and coach – his sons are the same, football mad and they take after their dad.

“We’ll never be sure if a defibrillator would have saved Darren’s life, but they can make such a difference if someone has an emergency near a football field.”

Since her husband’s death, Mrs Scott has campaigned for more defibrillator, and, along with the secretary of Cobblers Hall under 40s, Mark Preston, has managed to secure two defibrillators for local sporting teams.

The Northern Echo: Players from both sides gather on the centre circle before the Cobblers Hall vs Mill View fixture. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Players from both sides gather on the centre circle before the Cobblers Hall vs Mill View fixture. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The pair are in the process of setting up a charity, which will look to finance further defibrillators for County Durham-based sports teams, and hope to secure ten more pieces of kit by October.

Alongside the defibrillator campaign, Mr Scott’s popularity was seen when more than £20,000 was raised on behalf of his family by Mark Preston in just two weeks.

The funds will be used for his children to have a financially stable future, as well as costs of the funeral, which took place on Friday, March 4, and saw his friends don Newcastle United shirts in memory of their ‘toon army loving pal’.

The Northern Echo: The Cobblers Hall players had a message of 'Always In Our Hearts Daz' emblazoned on their shirts. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.The Cobblers Hall players had a message of 'Always In Our Hearts Daz' emblazoned on their shirts. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

In the four weeks since his death, his beloved Newcastle United have also paid tribute to Mr Scott – featuring the 40-year-old in their programme at a recent Premier League fixture.

Mr Preston, who ran the fundraiser and has supported Darren’s family since his death, said: “There’s a lot of people here today that want to pay their respects to Darren. There’ll be a few tears along the way and emotions are running high today.

“The community spirit in Newton Aycliffe is unbelievable, and the support the family have had is incredible.

The Northern Echo: Newton Aycliffe U15s with their new defibrillator, donated by London Heart. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.Newton Aycliffe U15s with their new defibrillator, donated by London Heart. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“Getting extra defibrillators is important for each sport club. It doesn’t matter if it’s football, rugby, running, tennis, every club should have a defibrillator, and we’re looking to set up something that can provide these local teams with kit like this.”

The event saw a minute’s applause by Cobblers Hall and their opposition, as well as the players laying a flower wreath in the centre circle just before kick-off.  

Each Cobblers Hall player also had the words 'Always In Our Hearts Daz’ emblazoned on the back of their shirts.

The Northern Echo: A flower wreath was laid in the centre circle by Riley Preston before kick-off. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.A flower wreath was laid in the centre circle by Riley Preston before kick-off. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

The local club’s sponsor, Dave Shepherd, was also in attendance at the game after providing one of the defibrillators and gifting Darren’s son, Noah, a new pair of football boots.

Paying tribute to his friend, Mr Shepherd said: “Darren wasn’t just another player for the team, he was my friend. I knew him, I knew his family and we used to spend a lot of time together.

“It’s inspiring to see everyone pull together and turn out for Darren today – and hopefully we can keep provided defibrillators and whatever is needed to make team sin the area feel safe.”

The Northern Echo: Darren with his family - wife Donna, sons Noah and Declan, and daughter Layna. Picture: FAMILY PHOTO.Darren with his family - wife Donna, sons Noah and Declan, and daughter Layna. Picture: FAMILY PHOTO.

Newton Aycliffe U15s coaches, Anthony Greenwell, and Simon Bowker, remembered the “football mad” memory of their friend Darren.

The pair have also noted the strength of Darren’s son, Noah, who they both coach.

They said: “We’d never truly seen anyone want to turn 40 as much as Darren did – he wanted to hit the milestone so he could play for Cobblers Hall. He loved the atmosphere of the games, and he loved coaching the next generation.

The Northern Echo: The Cobblers Hall squad with Newton Aycliffe U15s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.The Cobblers Hall squad with Newton Aycliffe U15s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

“It’s in the news a lot now about medical emergencies at the football, defibrillators are vital and to get one this morning is key.

“We’re a small junior team and the funds won’t stretch to buy one, so to have one presented to us is special for the club.

“I think it’s helped his son Noah come to training and just treat things as normal. It’s a rough time for everyone but he’s shown his strength for him, his family and friends and Darren would be so proud.”

The Northern Echo: The match between Cobblers Hall and Mill View finished 2-1 to the home side, which was won with a last minute penalty. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.The match between Cobblers Hall and Mill View finished 2-1 to the home side, which was won with a last minute penalty. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Later in the year, plans are afoot to try and organise a sports dinner in memory of Darren, which will include auctioned off memorabilia.

If anyone has memorabilia that they want to offer for the future event, they can do so by contacting markpreston1974@hotmail.co.uk.

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