'Rocket' Ron still firing

  By Paul Brown

Most DAFTS who followed Darlo in the 70's will never forget a cold Wednesday evening in December 1976.

The FA Cup second round replay against higher division opponents had been postponed from the previous Saturday 11th December and Darlo lined up at Feethams in front of 7,474 fans with a team including Ogley, Nattress, Cochrane, Stone, Craig, Lyons, Noble, Seal, Wann and of course the one and only Eddie Rowles and his equally famous beard.

They also had a young centre forward in the ranks who had been cruely rejected and freed by the evenings opponents at the start of the season and who had revenge firmly on his mind.

After soaking up constant pressure for most of the game the young centre forward picked the ball up on the half way line in front of the opponents dugout on the right wing, took a few paces forwards and hit the ball like a rocket into the top left corner of the net past the fingertips of the flying current Poolies manager Chris Turner (who doesn't get airborne much nowadays!) to take us through to a 3rd round tie at home to Orient

This was in the days when balls didn't bend - it was pure power from "Rocket" Ron Ferguson who scored the only goal to beat his old club Sheffield Wednesday and few who were there will ever forget "the goal" which was one of the best scored at Feethams or for that matter in Darlo's history.

Darlo fan Craig Brown bumped into Ron at the immaculate boutique bed and breakfast Ron now runs with his wife Maxine in Lincoln (details now on the Lincoln away guide)

So I got in touch with Ron to pose the three questions the DAFTS present at Barnet discussed when reminiscing about "that goal".

Ron is a very unassuming and modest man who was not aware that his goal was remembered with such fondness by fans. "I am amazed by all this fame...so late in my career! I knew that one day, if I was patient, I would find stardom! First of all I have to say what a brilliant website DAFTS is. I believe Steve Duffy is the man behind it and, apart from the fact that he ought to get a life(!), he deserves a huge pat on the back as I seriously think it's great. I'm not surprised to hear that it is well renowned and,I'm sure, the envy of most clubs. Now to answer your questions."

How far out was the goal really scored from?

"Dependant on how much booze has been consumed it was from anywhere between 40 and 82 yards! I couldn't see the halfway line due to the mud heaps!"

What was your quote in the next morning's Northern Echo?

"Can't remember the quote exactly but it may have been something on the lines of..."I never miss from 40 yards!"

What was the gesture you made to the Wednesday bench who had recently released you - and who was the manager Jackie Charlton or Len Ashurst?

"Yes, I have to admit (much to my shame!) that I did flick a V or 12 to Len Ashurst! I would never have done that to a World Cup winning legend like Jack Charlton - besides he's bigger than me!"

Ron also included a few good stories of his four years with Darlo.

"I remember when they first introduced the tannoy system at Feethams..it was used to announce the crowd changes to the players! Another fellow Darlo striker Jimmy Seal (a great guy and a very good player too) was watching from the stands one day.This was at the time when substitutes hadn't been around that long and not everybody could fully comprehend.

"Now it would be fair to say that with certain elements of the Darlo faithful I had what could be accurately called a "love/hate relationship"...they loved to hate me! Well. after the match Jimmy was telling me about two of the aforementioned members of my fan-club who were sat in front of him.

"The first one said in a booming voice at an unusual quiet point in the match "Get Fergy off and get the sub on.' His mate pondered for a few seconds before sayin: "But John the subs already on'. Again a few seconds of silence before the first voice boomed out "Get Fergy off anyway!'"

"On an away trip to Everton in the old League Cup we stopped off at a motorway service area for our pre-match meal....oh how these modern day players must envy the lifestyle that we had! Peter Madden (not someone to be messed with...you took his decisions on the chin or you'd get one on the chin!) was telling everyone to watch what they ate as it was a big game that night.

"When he got to me he said in that all to familiar and yet another booming voice, 'Fergy you can have chips with yours!' That was my teamtalk done for the day!"

"Well I really must go and get on or our guests will be having a go at me too! I'll sign off by hoping that Darlo manage to get through this current situation. I'm sure that they will. It's such a shame as I reckon at least a play-off place was there for the taking. The club, the town and above all the supporters deserve to take the fantastic stadium to "higher grounds'".

Ron still goes to Darlington games when he can. Sounds like a great bloke who is happy to chat about football to his guests at Number 24 in Lincoln. Thanks to Paul and Craig Brown

DAFTS pay extra £1 for beer

  DAFTS imposed their own £1 tax on a pint of beer - to raise money for the club at the end of last season

Those drinking with us before and after games were asked to give an extra pound a pint, which went towards the fund-raising effort.

£150 was handed over to the Supporters' Club at the Morecambe game, in addition to around £35 handed to the club before

Hatters away day

An enjoyable day out in Luton. How many times has that sentence been uttered? Well, it is always is with a victory at Kenilworth Road, and especially with a late winner. It was a hard fought game, with an exciting second half in which either side could have won. It was good to see both teams looking for three points and defences were pushed to the limit. Gregg Blundell made a difference with his running when he came on as sub, linking up well with Rob Purdie. Steve Foster and Alan White were typically strong at the back. We're looking pretty good and this was a test.

We'd had a good lunchtime session in the Bricklayers' Arms before the match. Quite a heated discussion about cold, hot or luke warm pies ensued. Strange, what Darlo fans talk about. Then there was a walk to the ground, which we sort of half-remembered, were also helped by a map but not by the lack of street signs apart from when we got near the ground. It was (gulp) a massive £22 to get in and then another £3 for a programme (which I baulked at) and £3 more for a pie. After our heated discussion about pies before, at least the pies here were heated. Although for £3 I want it brought on a satin cushion to my seat. Luton will no doubt be the most expensive place to watch Blue Square Premier football next season, unless it's still costing a bomb at Oxford United.

* We emailed Luton after finding admission charges on the day were £22 and not the £20 advertised for matchday admission on their website. This has now been corrected and the club apologised for any confusion. We were also in contact with Darlington FC, because the availability of advance tickets for the game at the £20 discount was poorly advertised. Only 32 were sold in advance and the only mention was in the Accrington programme or if you went to the ticket office itself. Hopefully, ticket details will be promoted more widely, including via the er, internet web thingy.

Six of the best

It can't get much better - presenting an award to DAFTS favourite real ale pub, followed by our biggest away win for 26 years. The 6-0 victory was preceded by one-way traffic at the Waters Green Tavern. Oh and yes, Lance did go all the way to Macclesfield and not go to the game! The DAFTS Pub of the Year award (pictured above), is something we present each season for the pub which we feel is not only serving good beer (obvious) but offers a warm welcome and is away fan and football-friendly. The pub has been a popular watering hole for us - and we always look forward to our visit.

McVay finds the Heart and some of the soul

Most national newspapers pay fleeting visits to the Football League, apart from occasional stoops to stereotype or patronise.

The Telegraph's David McVay however has more reason than most to relish a return to the roots, as his first career was as a workmanlike professional full back with some of the lesser lights. His entertaining coming-of-age account of life at Notts County in the 1970s suggested this collection of a season's match reports would result in a far greater aggregate score than the sum of its parts may suggest on paper. It doesn't disappoint. Each chapter offers colourful snapshots of the club he visits - tied up neatly with end-of-season footnotes, for those who for some reason may have forgotten Leeds failed win promotion after all. It's elegant, witty, playful and someGeorgia surreally sarcastic ("...stadium:mk, a lower case identity popularly championed by country singer kd lang"). Later in the same report: "Played in by substitute Bally Smart, just one vowel away from a famous ringmaster, the circus, with Lincoln in clown disguise, had finally come to town".

His visit to Darlington is unfortunately for the goalless draw with Chesterfield, with on-loan Matt Green having an off-day. "More Matt Amber given his uncertainty, and certainly not Matt Finish." He bemoans the demise of Feethams, with a new stadium that "goes beyond the sublime as a folly."

Despite watching a 0-0 "guileless epic" involving Luton, McVay manages to shed some light on the club's financial irregularities in the words of their most famous fan, Eric Morecambe. "'We were paying all the right notes,' he almost said tugging on Andre Previn's lapels, 'but not necessarily in the right order, sunshine.'"

Heart Of Football by David McVay (Reid Publishing, £9.99)

Hats off to Dafts

A few shots from Ted - including one of himself - before and during the Stockport match. County are nicknamed the Hatters, and there seemed to be a running theme with head-gear last Saturday. From the Che chic - Long Live The Revolution from Ted and Lance, to the shorn look of Gavin.

Here for the beer

A few shots from Ted from 2008's Darlington Spring Thing Beer Festival before the Grimsby match. A thoroughly enjoyable weekend, thanks to an excellent Friday night curry and of course the right result on the Saturday.

Lance hits the big one

Best wishes to Lance Ireland, who was 70 in March 2008. He's also written a rare bulletin for the Harbo Darlo page. And it seems he's also back in The Sportsman these days, after his self-imposed exile. They even have a couple of decent beers on!

He had an enjoyable birthday with a bit of a pub crawl, in the company of the Darlo Cat (and some friends), and ended the night on the victorious side when the Harbo Darlo team won the pub quiz. The 1938 round threw a few people, and of course, there was the Doris Day, Rhonda Fleming and Darlington answer which confused a few more.

Baby Oliver's early Quakers acquaintance

There wasn't much else to remember about the 1-0 home defeat to Mansfield, but Oliver Wandless will be able to say - "I was there". At just four weeks old he became the club's youngest ever mascot.

Dad Tom - one of the farthest-flung DAFTS, from Falmouth in Cornwall - will have to tell him about the experience though! Oliver James Wandless was born on 19th January 2008 at 3.30pm – the exact time that Richie Foran cracked home the winning goal as Darlington beat Mansfield at Field Mill. According to dad however, Oliver’s favourite player is Julian Joachim.

Oliver’s nine-year-old cousin Owen shared the mascot duties and joined the players for the pre-match warm-up. Tom also sponsored the man-of-the-match presentation.

Steve Foster, club captain (pictured above with Tom, Oliver and club chief Barry Simmonds) said: "Oliver is certainly the youngest mascot I have ever heard of."

He will no doubt have to get used to the 888-mile round trips more regularly, when he's a little older.

Tom said: “I was born in Darlington and have always been a loyal fan despite now living at the other end of the country. I was determined that Oliver would be a mascot at the very earliest opportunity and it was a proud moment when we walked out through the tunnel with the players."

Neil on the air

Neil Johnson - live from Norway! That was the treat for the good folk of Stockton recently when the DAFTS-meister from Stavanger was guest on the BBC Radio Tees Afternoon Show. Neil was interviewed for a good 25 minutes on the trials of following Darlo from overseas. He was only interrupted by the playing of some old Motown tune or other in the middle. Now we know how to stop him in mid-flow - a rousing chorus of Stand By Me, a bulletin about roadworks on the A66 or some such like. Anyway, it was entertaining, especially if you've not heard Neil's tale of his marathon trip to Exeter for a 0-0 draw on a Friday night before.

Pictured left is Neil and baby Martin, who is wearing next season's fetching pink away colours.

Lewes play hosts again

As it's traditionally awards season - the Golden Globes and the Oscars, DAFTS got in early recently with the presentation of our own. Ted and John were in Lewes to bestow, belatedly, the DAFTS Pub Of The Year award for 2006/2007 to The Gardener's Arms in Lewes. The Sussex ale pub was a very welcoming host to Darlo fans before and after the FA Cup tie last season. We give the award for the pub which we feel has been the most fan-friendly and welcoming, as well as being tip-top for its real ales.

Down to Griffin Park

DAFTS line up in Isleworth	Steve and Tony, looking a bit down in the mouth for some reason	Being in that London, there's a wide selection of international cuisine to tempt the palate
Bev and Iain among the DAFTS crowd in the Brewery Tap	On the way to the ground, or pub, can't remember...	The Brewery Tap All photos: Ted Blair

The Brentford away game was a good result on and off the pitch - fine beer and a 2-0 scoreline at Griffin Park

An all-round clinical team performance saw us pick up three more valuable points on the road at Brentford.

It wasn't always pretty, but we were solid at the back and caused some problems on the break, with some sweeping moves. We took the lead through a penalty, which there were no arguments about, on 16 minutes. Tommy Wright headed a second 20 minutes later after an attempt had been cleared. After the break, Brentford were more dangerous, but the excellent Stephen Foster and Alan White put their heads and bodies in the way, while David Stockdale made a couple of good saves. We looked strong and kept the ball well. Pawel Abbott came on as sub after recovering from injury and caused problems.

It topped off a good DAFTS day out, which started at the very comfortable and friendly Red Lion in Isleworth.

Then we went to the Magpie and Crown in Brentford, which is run by a Poolie fan! Hard-working landlord Steve eventually found time from serving thirsty fans to pose with H'Angus behind the bar... No serious mickey-taking as we wanted to get served.

We rounded off the day with a couple at the Brewery Tap after the game. A splendid afternoon all round. For Ted Blair's photos

Booze - and we don't lose

It was the weekend of the Darlington Rhythm and Booze beer festival (2007), coinciding with the Lincoln home game. Darlo found their rhythm in the 2-0 win - and it looks as if DAFTS had little trouble finding the booze. Sadly, I was working and missed both. Photos - an out of focus (him not the camera) Ted Blair

2007-2008: Fans photos from the Dagenham, Millers, Macclesfield and Stanley trips

It's like this...Dagenham debate	Another for the Elsey narcolepsy files
The sign and the face says it all	The Wright stuff - celebrations on and off the pitch
Ted likes a good beard when he spots one	But Tony's still got a little way to go to catch up

	A nail-biting second half - Darlo fans chew over a tense afternoon at Millmoor, although it all turns out well in the end. Photos: Ted Blair
When it gets hard to look, turn to the transcript of a Richard Nixon interview in 1977 for light relief, as Brian does.

	Having a ball in the crowd at Macclesfield (left)...and the Darlo fan pie-eating marathon. Photos: Ted Blair

Waterproofs welded on for the open terrace at Accrington

Steve C and Andy notice something funny

Being a ball boy isn't always a cushy number. Photos: Ted Blair

I hate the way the League tables are now published after the first Saturday of the season. Changing your club name to Aardvark AFC, now ensures you have a good chance of a cut-out-and-keep boast from the local paper, if you can just win your opening game. Darlo have the dubious honour of being "top of the league" after two games, which is better than being Rochdale - or even Leeds United - I suppose. Two clean sheets and five goals is a good start. Pawel Abbott and Tommy Wright are off the mark too. But we shouldn't get too excited yet.

Alive and flicking - veteran Colin takes on top dogs

Colin Fletcher, (DAFTS Nottingham), was proudly wearing his Darlo shirt in a corner of south-east London in July as he competed in the London International Subbuteo Open tournament.

Colin, who represented England in his younger days, now plays in the veterans category and was up against some of the top seeds from the very beginning of the competition.

In his first game, he drew 1-1 with German Olaf Seidel, seeded eighth, and then narrowly went down 2-1 in his second game when up against the mighty Juan Carlos Granados of Spain, the fourth seed who had earlier trounced Seidel 6-1 and who went on to be a losing finalist.

Colin's tournament ended when he was on the wrong end of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Carl Young, a former Welsh international now living in Melbourne, Australia, in a knockout to enter the next round. In these days of Championship Manager and all the other computer-based footy games, it is good to see that Subutteo is still alive and kicking. The tournament attracted all age groups and players had travelled to compete from all corners of Europe. I'm sure some of the more elderly Darlo fans should get up in the loft and dust off their pitches - it seems you're never too old for this game.

Colin has played the game since 1972 and has represented England seven Georgia both at A and B. He was ranked 82nd veteran in the world before the tournament, but expects to rise up the rankings afterwards. The Open Final was won by Daniele Bertelli beating World No.1 Eric Verhagen from Holland 4-1. The competition attracted more than 70 players from across Europe. Words and photos: Ted Blair

Here's a small selection of Ted Blair's match photos from 2006-2007 - click on the arrows to view.

 

We'd like to send very special birthday wishes to Harry "DAFT" Johnson, who celebrated his 80th on January 21st 2007. Harry is a long-standing (suffering?) season ticket holder, who has also been great company on DAFTS weekenders at away games over the years with son Neil. We also know almost as much as he enjoys a good Darlo win, he occasionally enjoys a good moan. But we hope he doesn't have too much cause this weekend! Have a happy one "H"!

All information about what DAFTS is about and our story from 1994 is on our new About Us page.

Supporters' Club award for Lance

Birmingham-based Lance Ireland (DAFTS/Harbo Darlo) became the first person to receive a new award presented by Darlington Supporters' Club.

Season ticket holder Lance, who is also a regular at away games, was presented with the award at pitch-side in 2006 before the 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers. It is intended to commend a fan, player, member of club staff or anyone connected with the football club who has made a special contribution. DAFTS nominated him for the award "for spreading the word about Darlington FC to an otherwise untapped market in the West Midlands, namely that of Harborne."

Lance also sponsors a kit and involves regulars in his local pub in various fund-raising activities, as well as keeping them entertained with a regular Harbo Darlo bulletin and SuperLeague pinned on the wall. Thanks to the vagaries of rail travel, Lance has often endured some very time consuming journeys following the Quakers, the most recent being after our recent defeat at Shrewsbury when, due to some poor information by a member of railway staff, Lance finally arrived in Birmingham at 5.05 AM the following morning, caught a bus home which promptly broke down en route and had to sit and wait for the driver to effect running repairs! Above all, Lance, is also a real character, who goes out of his way following the team and a popular bloke with all who come across him - congratulations! Thanks to Les Hodge and Andy Smith for the presentation photos.
Anyone who wishes to commend someone for a future award can contact the Supporters' Club

Looking back to a famous cup day

Thanks to Don Adams, over in Canada, who came across some old autographs from nearly 50 years ago and kindly mailed them over. The sheet contains the signatures of the Darlington squad, apparently gathering at the railway station before they headed south to prepare for a famous cup tie.

The FA Cup Fifth Round in February 1958 saw Darlo drawn against league leaders - and soon to be champions - Wolverhampton Wanderers. Darlington had won through after a famous replay against Chelsea at Feethams. But Wolverhampton were at their height, captained by England's Billy Wright. According to the history books, Darlington travelled down to prepare for the game in Brighton. Apparently, they trained, had salt water baths and went to see the pantomine Jack and The Beanstalk.

This was the first time the club had played in the Fifth Round since 1911! Unfortunately, we lost 6-1 in front of nearly 56,000 at Molineux - 5,000 from Darlington! Wolves were unbeaten at home and Jimmy Murray and Peter Broadbent scored five of the goals between them. The Darlington side for that day was: Tulip, Green, Furphy, Henderson, Greener,Rutherford, Morton, Milner, Hartbertson, Bell (goalscorer), Carter. The programme of the day features this training shot of the Quakers, as well as sadly a tribute to the Busby Babes, with football still in mourning following the Munich air disaster just over a week before. Move the mouse over the programme and click for the team-sheet.

The winter game

05.15: Leave home in Cardiff by car
05.20: Swerve to avoid part of tree in road. Not a promising sign. A gusty trip up the M50 and M5, but uneventful.
07.25: Park near New Street station, even time for a coffee, to buy a paper, book, magazine and sandwich.
08.06: The Glasgow train on time. Great! Unpack paper, book, magazine, eat sandwich.
08.15: Train still hasn't left New Street. There's a mechanical problem. Can we get off please, there will be another along in a bit.
08.25: Replacement train arrives remarkably quickly and leaves typically slowly.
09.15: We pass Leicester, for some reason. At least we don't stop there.
10.21: As we leave Sheffield, we're told the line is shut north of York because of trees on the line. We won't stop at Wakefield because of high winds. Do we need an excuse for that?
11.45: Limp into Leeds. We have to wait for a new driver to meet up with the train.
12.20: The good news - the driver arrives and the line north of York is open. The bad news - the on-board computers packed up when they coupled the follow-on service to our waiting train. Another delay.

12.55: We finally leave Leeds. It's a good city, but over an hour looking at its station is quite enough.
13.25: Arrive in York. We need to wait for another new driver. That will be 25 minutes. But another Newcastle train pulls up and we transfer to that one.
14.04: Arrive in Darlington at last. In time for a very quick pint, watch Villa collapsing in the Cup at Sheffield United on telly in the pub and get to the stadium.

The match: Darlington 1-1 Oxford. Considering the blustery conditions, it wasn't a bad game. Darlo got off to a good start, with Adolphe Gregorio shooting from distance with a speculative effort that the Oxford 'keeper fumbled - a much-needed early goal. Alun Armstrong also had a chance, but the visitors started winning the midfield battles and pressed us hard. Their equaliser wasn't unexpected as they worked some neat moves and it was well worked. After the break, Darlo got to grips with Oxford, who seemed oddly unadventurous. We pushed forward at every opportunity but it wasn't until sub Chris Hughes came on, with Neil Wainwright switched to the left that we looked most dangerous. Clyde Wijnhard had limped off too blunting our edge up front and we came up against a lot of Oxford bodies. You can see why they were unbeaten in five games. Chances were at a premium, while at the other end, Brian Close, Matt Clarke and Curtis Fleming had solid games. A fair result and a sign that progress is being made. © Photos: Ted Blair/DAFTS

17.25: Train leaves Darlington. More delays in Yorkshire - train diverted because of "trespasser with suicidal tendencies" on the line. Thought David O'Leary would have gone back to the Midlands already with the rest of the Villa squad? We go via Leicester again. Why?
20.55: Arrive in Birmingham, pick up car.
23.05: Arrive home. Roll on the Spring!

Some bloke off the telly meets Ted DAFTS Man In London Ted Blair represented Darlington fans at the launch of Football League sponsors Coca-Cola's competition for fans to "Win a Player" worth up to £250,000 for their football club. He also met Sky's Chris Kamara, who is used to standing out in the freezing cold trying to make sense of a bloke from the north east, so this was all in a day's work. The promotion was open to fans of clubs from the Coca-Cola Football League and Scottish Premier League and the £250,000 prize was eventually won by a Brighton fan for his club.   About the DAFTS website This website, www.dafts.co.uk, was launched in July 2001 - not to compete with existing Darlington websites but to add something extra and really be an online presence for what DAFTS is all about. We try to steer clear of match reports and most other news, save our own particular take on things. Here's what a few people have said about us: "A superb site full of wry comments, away guides and DAFTS news." Where's The Money Gone? Interactive "This site is great for the away traveller. It has loads of information for your away day to the game. More info than I could ever gather. D@rlo Uncovered "A great resource if you're following Darlo on the road" Fanbase "DAFTS provides a ton of information for fans who don't live and those who do live in Darlo. One of the best bits of the site is the away travel guide...a must bookmark for all people. Even more so if you travel the country following the Darlo." The Tinshed "Great site with lots of content... this website has the personal touch which is very important and I rate this site amongst the best."Up The Darlo "A top site this, one of the best in the whole division, sorry League Two (puke). Well put together, useful, tells you things you actually want to know. Oh and independent. That's not official; not a franchised effort; that's independent. Sadly there are fewer and fewer such sites. Ciderspace Yeovil Town FC site "The site at www.dafts.co.uk is another excellent unofficial source of information...they seem to like the fish and chips and the pubs in Halifax.." - the Halifax programme. Sadly, no more...let's hope for a swift return by the Shaymen!

Dad, can we go home? You're never too young to join in with the DAFTS experience! Dave Lippett brought young Jasper along to Rushden in the 2005-2006 season. A little camera shy, or perhaps that was just Ted? He nevertheless saw (slept through?) a unbeaten Darlo performance. Jasper, not Ted. So no emotional scars yet for the little fella... Dave and family have now left for Texas and will be following Darlo from afar - except when they're back in the country. Best of luck and keep in touch! Hel's bells... What's making her laugh? Someone from DAFTS is in on the trick with Soccer AM's Helen Chamberlain, at a recent photo-shoot with League sponsors Coca-Cola. Move your mouse over the photo to find out who. A clue? It's not a man normally associated with a brown, sugary drink. She apparently thought he looked liked "Bomber" out of Auf Weidershen Pet. Makes a change from that other bearded bloke off the telly. DAFTS reaches for the skies DAFTS photographer Ted Blair enjoyed (if that is the right expression in the cross wind!) a detour before his usual pre-match trip to the pub ahead of the Wrexham game. Darlo fan Mark Meynell, who has a pilot's licence (luckily for Ted!), took the controls in the two-seater light aircraft for the flight from his local flying club in Shropshire. As they flew over Wrexham, Ted took this shot with the Racecourse Ground looking a little more peaceful than it would a few hours later! © Aerial photo: Ted Blair. Click for larger image.

Having a great ball in China As part of a short series for the match programme, we've some features on far-flung Darlo supporters. They get everywhere - and we reckon there can't be too many in mainland China! JOHN JONES, known as "JJ" tells us what its like following the Quakers from Shanghai. If you'd like to be featured, contact us NAME: John Jones. AGE: 42 and a half. BIRTHPLACE: South Shields, but 40 years based in Aycliffe and Darlington. PRESENT LOCATION: Shanghai, China (three years). PREVIOUS LOCATIONS: Argentina (four years); Japan (five years). HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET BACK HOME TO SEE DARLINGTON MATCHES? Once a year. 3rd Division football in the grip of a NorthEastern winter works marvels for the soul! HOW DO YOU FOLLOW MATCHES? DAFTS Newsletter and "Uncovered" message board for the live coverage - painstaking, but a hell of a laugh! The banter between the fans is truly enlightening, yet written with a hilarious NorthEastern sentiment, especially when some Poolie is having a day out on our page! IS IT EASIER SINCE THE INTERNET? Undoubtedly!! Though many sites are "blocked" over here, and connection can be dubious and erratic. HOW DIFFICULT DID IT USED TO BE TO FOLLOW ENGLISH FOOTBALL, ESPECIALLY DARLO? Argentineans are really well-up on the Premiership, though there is definitely the suggestion of an element of, shall we say, absolute utter hatred among them towards the English. Most frequently heard chant, regardless of teams on the pitch, is "If you're not jumping, you're English!" (I always made sure I jumped!). The Buenos Aires Herald used to print all the scores on a Sunday - we could even see how Ferryhill got on! We get up to three live Premiership matches at the weekend here in China, courtesy of a satellite channel from Singapore, and have now got First Division games as well (by rigging up an illegal satellite link from South Africa!). Games are usually watched in an Irish Pub, but with us being eight hours ahead, we are usually all too blathered to remember the scores! WHAT'S THE RESPONSE LIKE NOW TO ENGLISH FOOTBALL, WITH ALL THE BECKHAM CRAZE WE'VE READ ABOUT? Chinese know Beckham and Man.U. and a smattering of other teams if they are football fans, or involve Chinese players, and live games are shown, but with long spells of total silence from the commentators. THEY'VE NOT HEARD OF DARLO THEN? They have now! Strangely enough, most of the ex-pats follow lower division teams (I've got mates here who follow Mansfield, Shrewsbury, Hartlepool (though he has a history of mental illness) and Leyton Orient! I think being so far away makes you hanker for something really "local" to hang on to, so the "really" local teams start to take a preference over the bigger clubs you might support, such as Sunderland (like me) or the Mags. HOW DOES CHINESE FOOTBALL COMPARE TO THE ENGLISH GAME? The supporters are fanatical (passionate about their teams, loud, flare-burning etc.) though trouble is unheard of. The local "hooligan" element here in Shanghai (the "Blue Devils") recently re-admitted one of their ex-gang members, after he publicly apologized to the policeman he had argued with over his right to blow his kazoo so close to the copper's lug! Level of play is naïve, and directionless. Always seems to be a surprise if anyone actually scores a goal! I saw the Chinese National Team play PSV Eindhoven last year in a pre-world cup friendly, and regardless of trying desperately to lose, PSV accidentally took the spoils…imagine somebody passing back from a penalty just about sum's it up! MOST MEMORABLE MATCH? Newell's Old Boys v Boca Juniors - what an atmosphere! Maradona wanted to play a half for each team - they wouldn't let him - so he scored a cracker for Boca and immediately came to the Newell's end to apologize! Then they took him off, Martin Palermo scored another and promptly dropped his kegs and mooned our supporters! I ended up being kicked-in when someone tried to pinch my hamburger and also had my shirt forcibly removed and lost forever. And these were OUR fans! Other than that, the England-Argentina game at last years World Cup in Japan. Emotional stuff! FAVOURITE ALL TIME PLAYER? Charlie George. (Can't comment about Darlo players, as I haven't seen enough of them, though Gabbers always impressed.) WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT ENGLISH FOOTBALL? I like the whole idea of following a club in the lower divisions. Everyone seems to be a true part of the club, not just an anonymous face in a huge crowd. I imagine it's more like working in a corner shop than a supermarket…you are much more involved in all aspects of the business and feel your voice really counts. You're always that much closer to the players (literally). It's bread and butter football, survival and dreams for the future all packaged together. HOPES FOR THE SEASON? A realistic challenge would be to get the Club and the fans playing for the same Team, resulting in a stability which ensures a Top Ten finish allowing us to build up to challenge for promotion in the play-offs in the 2003/4 season. WHEN DO YOU NEXT HOPE TO BE BACK? Christmas - also planning a special trip to come for the Darlo-Mansfield clash in April with a Stags fan from Beijing. The All New Gavin Ellis pun of the month: "I see Mr Cain's the referee. That's appropriate. I bet he gets some stick."

Cheers to Lidds DAFTS helped produce a beer named in honour of former Darlington skipper Craig Liddle, which has been launched to coincide with his testimonial in August 2005. We linked up with Sunderland-based Darwin Brewery to produce "Liddle's Special". A 15p donation from each bottle sold will go towards Craig's testimonial fund. It's the second time a beer has been named after the popular 33-year-old - "Liddle's Best" was launched in aid of the Supporters' Trust a couple of years ago. Neil Johnson, of DAFTS, said: "Lidds for many Darlington fans epitomises the best in a professional footballer. "He never gave less than 100% on the pitch, put in many sterling peformances at the back as Mr Dependable and undoubtedly cared a lot about the club and its fans, by being a superb ambassador for Darlington FC off the pitch". Neil, currently based in Norway, added: "The beer is a token of our appreciation - and we hope fans will drink a couple of bottles in his honour!" Steve Proudfoot of Darwin Brewery said: "Craig Liddle has obviously been a firm favourite with the Darlington fans for some time so it's nice to be able to help them mark his career and retirement with a very special beer." Lidds, who admits to usually being more of a lager drinker, is delighted and he took a bottle home as a souvenir at the launch at the Williamson Motors Stadium on Tuesday. He said: "I'm flattered and honoured that DAFTS feel like doing this - I've always had a great relationship with the fans. "Having a beer named after you something very few footballers can boast. So I don't know what it means having two beers named after you in your career but it's something I'll treasure!" D4FTS on a plate! One of DAFTS founders Celia Barnes has got our number - on her car! Celia was given the present of a personalised number plate by her sons for her birthday, very appropriate for DAFTS' 10th anniversary year. It even has our website address underneath - how cool is that?! Meanwhile, thanks to Mike, who sends us a photo of his personalised plate - D4RLO, complete with club crest - on a VW. Darlington FC Supporters' Club DFCSC have a well-run and popular coach service to all away games, leaving from Park Place. With prior arrangements it can be possible to pick up members for some games en route - as long as it's reasonable! There is a regular pick-up place at Tamworth services off the M42, for example. Coaches have refreshments, toilet, and videos for longer trips. The cost includes insurance cover for the late cancellation of matches and personal injury. Please book in advance - contact details below or see the committee in Strikers before home games. Coach Georgia and prices are on the DAFTS away guides for all matches, as well as the Supporters' Club website. Contact: Glen and Mary Bowes on 01325 243911 for more details. For the new season, the Darlington Supporters' Club website will be given a revamp, which has all the details of activities, fund-raisers, as well as the all-important away coach. E-mail the Supporters' Club or write to Darlington FC Supporters' Club, PO Box 343, Darlington DL3 OWX. New members and those wishing to join the committee welcome.