A REMARKABLE football season came to a jubilant end on May 1, 2013 as Darlington FC became Northern League champions.
And that same week, thousands joined in Spennymoor Town’s victory parade, after bringing home the FA Vase after their clash with Tunbridge Wells at Wembley.
The 2,001 fans who turned out to watch Darlington FC beat visitors Guisborough Town 3-0 would not have wanted to be anywhere else.
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The final whistle heralded a good-natured pitch invasion at Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland, replete with brightly coloured flares.
Local dignitaries, including Darlington Mayor Paul Baldwin and the town’s MP Jenny Chapman, looked on from the stands as hundreds of fans mobbed the heroic players.
Captain Gary Brown – who has consistently been one of the team’s best performers – led his band of battlers in the celebrations as the team got their hands on a trophy well-deserved after a season which saw the Quakers net more than 140 goals.
The celebrations were particularly heartfelt given the past difficulties of the club, and as fan Mark Fawcett explained, the passion and dedication to Darlington FC is uniquely and equally shared by the men on the pitch and those watching from the stands.
“We own this club, “ said the 51-year-old season ticket holder.
“I have shares and most of us fans do; this isn’t a Chelsea or a Man United, this is our club and they’ve done themselves and the town proud with what they’ve achieved this season.”
Not too many North-East football fans have experienced a Wembley cup victory. So when Spennymoor Town FC returned with the FA Vase, on May 6, 2013, they deservedly received a heroes’ welcome.
There were cheers, applause and raucous terrace chants – but most of all there was just an immense pride.
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Shouts of congratulations rang out as the players, aboard an open-top vintage bus, passed by – leaving a sea of grinning faces in their wake.
They were smiles of joy and pride in what this team has achieved for the town, a feat which will live long in the memory.
“I scored at Wembley and this has just capped it all for me, “ said star striker Gavin Cogdon, who grabbed the opener in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tunbridge Wells. It’s been an unforgettable week for all of us.”
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