© Photos: Ted Blair
Recommended among a dozen independent football fans' websites, for having "variety, depth, strong writing, original design and history" - When Saturday Comes
Following Darlo 1 9 9 4
- 2 0 0 9 
© Photos: Ted Blair
Recommended among a dozen independent football fans' websites, for having "variety, depth, strong writing, original design and history" - When Saturday Comes
Following Darlo 1 9 9 4
- 2 0 0 9 |
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DAFTS DIARY
Two steps forward, one step back Deja vu at Hereford, but still signs of improvement. It's at the back where we are still too vulnerable, with the Hereford strikers finding the defence easier to pick apart than an arthritic auntie's knitting. We looked more of a threat when Diop (he could be a handful when fully fit) replaced Thomas up front and provided some understanding for the youngster Collins, who took his goal well and managed two more reasonable efforts. As a squad of new incomers, that old musical number Getting To Know You springs to mind, but there is not a lot of time for dress rehearsals. The gap is widening at the bottom so the fix has to be reasonably quick now. Back to Barnet after Cup draw A quick return to Barnet then, scene of our 3-0 reverse last Saturday, for the FA Cup first round on 7th November. Definitely worth buying an Oyster card, with all those trips to the capital in recent weeks. Relief at first win
Unlucky 13 was lucky for some. The long-awaited
first win of the season came, with the new manager's first home match and
what must have been the eerie experience of the Darlington Arena on a Saturday.
While one of Steve Staunton's old clubs was in the north east getting beaten
by a beach ball (The last time something so large, round and red was
seen in the Liverpool penalty area, Jan Molby was playing for them),
Darlo managed an almost equally freakish occurrence by winning a football
match.
Darlo managed it without the assistance of a fluke and the three points not only took us within sight of fellow strugglers but gave us an injection of confidence, as it came against one of the division's strongest sides.
In the meantime, following the Shrewsbury victory, Kevin Gall has been
released - a little surprisingly, but with the guess that the new management
team have their eye on someone else to bring in. More worryingly, Jamie
Devitt has returned to Hull after a terrific performance and his first
goal. It was unclear whether his loan spell would be extended. But there are hopes Russell Hoult will be back again after his return to Notts County.
And we never quite made it... Possibly our fault for lingering
a little too long in the pre-match pub in Plaistow, but we never quite
made it.
We got onto the platform at the Tube station just as the Barking train's
doors closed, and we never quite made it.
Another one eventually came, and then we went in search of the replacement
bus to Dagenham. It never quite made it.
Fifteen minutes later, the bus arrived and the 15 minute journey took
25 minutes. As we walked to the ground, the texts came in with news of
the Daggers' two goals. Our defence, again, didn't quite make it.
We
got to the away turnstiles (closed) and were directed around the ground
to the only open turnstile. But the news didn't quite make it, and we
were told by the stewards there to go back to the away turnstiles.
It was getting on for half time now, and frustrated and sensing it was
not quite our day, we decided to go to the "away" pub up the road instead.
We made it this time (as closing time was midnight, we had a chance),
but lack of food and the proximity of a pie and mash shop was too good
to resist. But sorry, they'd run out of pies. They obviously didn't quite
make enough.
Back to central London for a pint or two. Guest ale was Brains. That's
250 miles for a pint I could get down my local! Still, despite the frustrations,
the awful result, we saved the admission price and had a good day. And
I just about made it back.
Staunton's big, or Little job
There's an adage which says the best
managers start at the bottom and learn on their way up. Well, there is only
one place for Steve Staunton to go as boss of Darlington, from 92nd place,
and that's up. Well, of course, there is the trap door of the Blue Square
Premier creaking open a little. But we shouldn't dwell on that too much,
or Staunton's unhappy time in charge of Ireland. What can be of no dispute
is that "Stan" as he was known to fans of Aston Villa and Liverpool, played
consistently at the highest level, as well as during some of the glory days
for the Republic.
He should have a pretty full contact book, and a real eagerness to make his mark after being given his chance. The choice of No 2, Kevin Richardson, a former Villa team-mate and captain, as well as a member of Arsenal's Championship-winning side, will also bring some coaching experience and grit. It's risky, but our predicament probably means a choice beyond the usual merry-go-round of tried, trusted and failed, must be worth a roll of the dice. Remember, another quietly-spoken Villa favourite who after a short and inauspicious wobble on the management ladder found his feet with the Quakers in crisis. Could Staunton do a Little?
The Darlington Arena will probably seem a world away from Anfield or
Villa Park, but Staunton will know, if he halts the club's demise, it
will as good as anything he's achieved.
More nostalgia
We took a peek inside Feethams before the Bournemouth game. It's not surprisingly very overgrown now, full of weeds and a few wild flowers. If someone had thought to create a pond for some newts, it might be declared a protected wildlife habitat. Shame they can't protect football clubs in the same way.
There have been at least
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DAFTS at the Darlo beer festival, 2009 The 30th Darlington Rhythm and Booze Festival happily coincided with another home game, so a decent DAFTS turnout was assured. A shame we had to go to the match, really. Thanks to Tony for organising another excellent curry night on the Friday.
Is it that time of the season already? DAFTS' pub of the year
The simple criteria is that the pubs must welcome visiting football fans
and also serve good real ale, before we get down to the nitty-gritty and
sub-catergories of crunchiest pork scratchings and Scotch egg availability.
The shortlist 2009 was:
Lincoln DAFTS photos
Before the match - and only then - is the time to enjoy yourself When you're lying 92nd in the Football League and ahead of what turns out to be a wretched performance, you have only one thing to cling to. The solace of a fine pint or two of ale with the good companionship of some fellow football fans. Nothing can ruin the sanctity of that ritual.
This day 116 years ago, we went amateur again 15th August 1893, Northern Echo
- "Lovers of football in Darlington will be glad to know that, notwithstanding
that Darlington Football Club has reverted to amateurism, the quality
of football which they may expect during the forthcoming season will not
fall short of previous years. Last night the first practice of probable
players for the club took place at Feethams and both, as regards the numbers
of amateurs who put in an appearence, and the skill they displayed was
exceptionally satisfactory."
The club had turned professional for a season, much against the wishes
of vice president Edward Ensor, who believed "the game was best played
for the love of it."
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| © www.dafts.co.uk 2009
Words and pictures used by permission. E-mail
DAFTS
DAFTS ARE a social group of exiled and far-flung
fans of Darlington FC, set up in 1994, who follow the fortunes of the League
Two club at home and especially away. As you'd expect, the contents of this
website in no way express the views of the club or anyone at Darlington FC.
For any queries about this site, the webmaster is Steve
Duffy and about DAFTS generally, the DAFTS organiser is Neil Johnson. Thanks
to Ted Blair for most of the (decent) photos. Why not use the DAFTS
Travel messageboard to get in touch with other travelling fans, beg or offer
lifts or discuss travel arrangements? It can also put fans in touch with others
living in their area.
Quick essential links:
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A W A Y G U I D E S M A P
Click on the clubs above for links
to DAFTS' away guides, including public transport and coach travel, driving directions, ticket details, and full guide to recommended pubs near the ground.
NB: These are being updated for League 2 and Cup trips
for 2009-2010 but some others are out of date or in old templates
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