Darlo Uncovered

Congratulations on a wonderful season, culminating in a superb title clinching performance. I am already looking forward to taking in some National League North games at Heritage Park (and hopefully Blackwell Meadows) next year. It was, with hindsight, a blessing in disguise that the FA placed Darli...

Thank you for this very informative page. It is a big help for me - I take an interest in Darlington as, for my sins, I follow Sunderland. On the way home from the disappointing draw with West Brom, I was listening to BBC Newcastle's Non League Round up and Tom Wade, the Blyth manager, spoke in glow...

There are two Saturday evening/Sunday morning Sports papers left in Britain, in Norwich and Southampton. The last one in this region, The Football Echo from Sunderland ceased last year as an internet only entity. No need for them nowadays, but they are missed. A friend of mine who was a sports journ...

The John of Gaunt in the Market Place is a good one as is The Borough opposite the Town Hall. The Water Witch on the canal towpath was decent the last time I was in. If you can't find a decent pint in Lancaster, you aren't really trying. It had two breweries, Mitchell's (whose buildings still stand)...

From what I have seen (admittedly, not a great deal) you have every chance of going up this year. The side looks well balanced and there are options on the bench every game. It would be fitting to open next season back in Darlington. I wish you all the best for 2015.

I saw the game at Station View today and can confirm that, on this showing; a). Salford did not look a great side b). Railway could well be challenging for the play off's and even promotion. The pitch was poor and good football was as rare as hen's teeth, but Railway are a resilient bunch,dug in and...

He told the player to go and either change his shirt or wipe the blood from his face after his nosebleed. The Kendal player wanted to walk across the pitch but the ref, quite rightly, told him to go round. I assume that is when the player swore at him. Technically, he was in the right to show him a ...

Playwright Phil Woods is an avid Darlington fan. He wrote for Coronation Street for many years and often slipped references to Darlington players into his script. When the Rovers syndicate had a horse called Betty's Hotpot, it was beaten by a horse named after a colleague of mine who was also a Feet...

Lots of good pubs in Lancaster. I like The John of Gaunt in the city centre and The Water Witch on the canal bank. For those looking for something a little more upmarket, The Borough in the Town Square does excellent beer and good food. Lots more to choose from. Great place for a day out. The ground...

Thank you for the responses. All the best in 2013-14. You should do very well in NPL 1 (North). I look forward to seeing a few midweek games. You have signed a very good player in Chris Hunter.

In order to gauge catering, toilet provision, security etc., Shildon AFC were wondering what the turnout is likely to be for Quakers fans at this game. I thought somewhere in the region of 500. Estimates would be gratefully received and will be passed on to the club.

Gary Barnes played for Shildon in the team that got to the First Round of the FA Cup in 2002. He played alongside Lee Ellison. They both scored 30+ goals that season. Justin Keegans played for Shildon for a number of years and was club captain. He had a number of injuries and hardly played last seas...

Guernsey were allowed in to the Combined Counties League on the basis that all of their home games were played at the weekends when the visiting sides could get there. In addition to that, they agreed to pay transport and accommodation costs for their visitors. Of course, the Northern League could h...

Good to see him scoring again. He was an excellent player for Shildon and it was disappointing to lose him. He must be as proud as punch to be playing for his home town club.

The best pub in Durham and possibly the North East, is The Victoria in Hallgarth Street, just past the Students Union building. No food other than pickled eggs and crisps. The landlord has been there since Victoria was on the throne. The Sportsmans at Belmont is decent. The Travellers Rest on Brooms...

Jamie Owens came to Shildon because he was guaranteed playing time every game. He realised that he would not get this at Darlington, behind Purewal, Dowson, Thompson and Johnson. Why the insulting comments about Shildon and their directors? Shildon offered Darlington a home ground, Darlington signed...

On top of that, you will have FA Vase and Durham Challenge Cup games to contend with. The league is good at re-arranging games in midweek and in bringing games forward from the end of the season as they are adamant that the season should finish by the last wekend in April - although the weather may ...

You've probably not seen one as good as ours either ;) Newton Aycliffe do a very professional job which has won the League Programme Award for the last two years. Marske United's often runs to 80-100 pages and is full of editorial. Definitely one for the train ride home. Beware Barry from Whitley B...

BBC local radio (Tees and Newcastle) both give Northern League football a fair bit of coverage. BBC North East won't and can't. If Darlington are successful I am sure they will cover the story. I don't see BBC North West covering the North West Counties League when I visit family in Southport (a fin...

You might find that Fleetwood have just banked £1m from the sale of Jamie Vardy to Leicester City. Perhaps they are using that to finance other signings.

He is a very good player, just the type you need in Northern League 1. Some good signings today. The Purewal who plays at the back is an excellent player, the one up front is decent but a little reluctant to tackle.

I think you have misunderstood the use of the word"lucky". I don't believe it was meant in a derogatory manner, more as an indication of what might have been. It could have been right at the bottom of the pyramid, which means the Wearside League. Unfortunately, there is a real mess for the FA to sor...

Insulting personal comments will get you nowhere. The Northern League could have easily refused to take you, just as it could have refused to take Durham City when they resigned from the Evo-Stik and Bishop Auckland when they were relegated, did not have a ground and had little prospect of getting o...

No, it's not the same club. The ones who lost so narrowly at Aberdeen were a scratch team who played in the Scottish Cup for a bit of fun. They didn't have any on that day. They came from the Aberdeen area, whereas Shotts are from the Central Belt. A number of Scottish Junior clubs pitch up here in ...

I thought that it was an excellent article and was particularly interesting for those who are not dyed in the wool Darlington fans. I follow Sunderland but was considering investing in Darlington, a club I have watched many times over the last 50 years. However, like Scott Wilson, I also see many qu...