Darlo Uncovered

To turn to a footballing topic, I wonder who people think is the best striker/ forward they have seen for Darlington.

For me it would be one of Alan Walsh, David Speedie or Marco Gabbadini. Not sure I would like to choose between them.

I am sure there are lots of others I have over looked.

Who is your choice as the best striker

Gabbiadini, although the others you mention are before my time.

Pawel Abbott probably next in terms of talent. Also enjoyed watching Clyde Wijnard.

David Currie for me, he was simply unplayable the season we sold him, and used to win matches on his own.

As good as Gabbiadini dare I say it.

Agree with Spyman about Abbott and Wijnhard. Abbott was on a different planet, such a shame he was rarely fit.

Gabbiadini was the best for me - strong, skilful and he seemed to be able to place a shot exactly where he wanted.

However I suspect Hodgie used to set up the team too much for the benefit of Gabbiadini, and when other teams were able to take him out of the game or M.G was having an off day ... we'd struggle.

Gabbiadini, followed by Abbott. Too young for the others, unfortunately.

Lance Robson has to be up there

Following Darlo since the late 70s, i cant split Currie, Gabbas or Blake.

All 3 were a class apart, lethal in front of goal and got me on the edge of my seat

Agree with Quakerz, David Currie was the best striker I have ever seen in a Carlo shirt, Gabbers was brilliant also and going way,way back Ron Harbertson was some player, not sure how many Darlo fans would remember him, came from Ashington and sold to Lincoln a couple of years later for £5000 round about 1958 and saved them from relagation., but loved watching David Currie must admit.

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No prize for guessing my striker. Followed by Bill Tulip

What Spyman says for me...

Funny though as I am equally fond of some of our more terrible forward lines. In a short few years from the goal scoring prowess of Gabbiadini and Nogan we had the immense mobility of John Williams partnered with Barry Conlon.

Quakerz wrote:David Currie for me, he was simply unplayable the season we sold him, and used to win matches on his own.

As good as Gabbiadini dare I say it.

Agree with Spyman about Abbott and Wijnhard. Abbott was on a different planet, such a shame he was rarely fit.

I forgot about David Currie. He was again one of the best I saw in a Darlington Shirt

I liked Wijnhard, but dont rate him as good as Gabbiadini, Speedie and Walsh.

I never saw enough of Abbott to make a judgement

Surprised that Robbie Blake hasn't had a mention yet, but going a long way back how about Bobby Cummings?

Actually Wainy247 - to change the subject slightly, your name reminds me of my favourite ever Darlo player. Exciting to watch, great attitude, nice person ....

lo36789 wrote:What Spyman says for me...

Funny though as I am equally fond of some of our more terrible forward lines. In a short few years from the goal scoring prowess of Gabbiadini and Nogan we had the immense mobility of John Williams partnered with Barry Conlon.

Surely you're thinking of Duffield rather than Nogoals?! He was on a par with the latter two you've mentioned. Got to agree with Gabbiadini, Abbott and Big Clyde (obviously).

Speedie was a great 'last chance' character. Darlo rescued him from oblivion and he repaid us with some glorious headers despite being a pint sized forward. He had a very short fuse and needed to be restrained sometimes. Great pace and fiery temperament, he went on from Quakers to greater things including Chelsea and Scotland.

David Currie and Marco Gabbo also had some great skills which they frequently displayed.

For character, can't miss out Lance Robson who was seen to carry out his dental extractions on the pitch as well as scoring some excellent goals. Can't forget Big Ron Ferguson either or the magnificent Brian Conlon.

Must have missed more than a few......

Alan Walsh - his goal record is proof that he was the best.

I always enjoyed the Cork and Borthwick partnership under Little..But that team was very much a team and no induvidual really stood out to me..Well, not as an out and out striker .
For me , I loved watching Pav Abbott, he had great vision, class and always made time for himself. Pity we did not get the best out of him because of injuries..
I have been fortunate enough to see lots of strikers from Bobby Cummings in 1966 right through to todays players. Robson Walsh, Speedie, Stalker, Currie Abbott, Gabbadini were all great strikers for Darlington.
But Abbotts first touch, tight control under pressure and vision will always stick in my mind.

Wainy247 wrote:Surprised that Robbie Blake hasn't had a mention yet, but going a long way back how about Bobby Cummings?

Robbie Blake for me as well, his skill levels were exceptional.

Apparently we had a David Brown up front, top scorer in 1925 with 39 goals (we won the title). 74 goals in 97 appearances.....beat that! I wonder if anyone ever saw him play?

I would imagine that many people saw him play.

But not you and I!!!

Gabbers was the most unstoppable striker that I've seen us have.

Abbott had the most class and was my favourite (although he didn't play as much as I would have liked)

Started following Darlo just as Gabbiadini was leaving so for me it would have to be Pawel Abbott, the lad was to good for the level of football we were playing, his goal against Grimsby at the Arena were he lobbed the keeper was one of the best goals ive seen

Obviously all of the main ones have been covered and just like Abbott we probably never saw as much from this lad as we should, even more so that Abbott but I always thought Gaetano Giallanza was always good to watch

First Darlo forwards I adored were Darren Roberts & Super Robbie Painter .

The best however, by a country mile was Gabbas - different gravy

Jimmy Lawton, with George Mcgeachie on the wing!

Gabbiadini closely followed by Paddy Deane


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Agree with most of the others but whilst not all time 'greats' also consider the likes of Carl Airey, Gary Bannister, Kyle Lafferty, Darren Roberts, Barry Conlon, Jesper Hjorth, Glenn Naylor, Guy Ndumbu-Nsungu, Ian Juryeff and Gary Worthington who all weighed in with important goals at various times

Gabbo, Walsh and Bobby Cummings

theoriginalcount wrote:Agree with most of the others but whilst not all time 'greats' also consider the likes of Carl Airey, Gary Bannister, Kyle Lafferty, Darren Roberts, Barry Conlon, Jesper Hjorth, Glenn Naylor, Guy Ndumbu-Nsungu, Ian Juryeff and Gary Worthington who all weighed in with important goals at various times

Ian Juryeff all I remember about him is Mission Impossible taking the piss with Juryefic Park or something like that, I remember him being very poor although actually can't remember anything about him.