Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Open now for discussion of all things Darlo!

Moderators: mikkyx, uncovered

bga
Posts: 2263
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:18 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by bga » Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:36 pm

In the interests of balance is anyone interested in the Echo poll in Saturday's paper? (Closing date 7th April) Or is it easier, and more fun, to all have our all time worst ever players discussed on here!
Am pretty sure we have discussed certain all time greats in certain positions before, but not sure we have covered a Dream Team before, apologies if we have. Formation is 4 3 3.
I'll start with mine, which will probably give my age away, so here goes and I'll put my helmet on now!

Tony Moor

Craig Liddle
John Peverell
Kevan Smith
Ron Greener

Alan Sproates
Les O'Neill
Neil Wainwright

Alan Walsh
Byran Conlon
Colin Sinclair

User avatar
Geordie Quaker
Posts: 628
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:32 am
Team Supported: Darlington
Location: See Username

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Geordie Quaker » Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:56 pm

There was some good discussion on Twitter about this over the weekend (it's a social media platform, bga :D ).

One thing it did do for me was confirm something I always thought - that we have never been blessed with great midfielders. I have been watching since the early 90's and, compared to defenders like Liddle and forwards like Gabbiadini, we have often been lacking in midfield.

I see you missed out your choice of manager there (he says, deliberately stirring the age-old 'was Hodgson actually a good manager' debate)....

User avatar
divas
Posts: 13213
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:38 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by divas » Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:57 pm

Hodgson was a great man manager.

eddiegrundy
Posts: 41
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 10:49 am
Team Supported: Darlington
Location: Ipswich

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by eddiegrundy » Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:09 pm

The problem with these things is that although it's all time eleven and manager the vast majority of the votes will be for recent people. Only a small proportion of the current support saw anyone before the 90s. Naturally they will vote for people they know.

bga
Posts: 2263
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:18 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by bga » Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:19 pm

Geordie Quaker wrote:There was some good discussion on Twitter about this over the weekend (it's a social media platform, bga :D ).

One thing it did do for me was confirm something I always thought - that we have never been blessed with great midfielders. I have been watching since the early 90's and, compared to defenders like Liddle and forwards like Gabbiadini, we have often been lacking in midfield.

I see you missed out your choice of manager there (he says, deliberately stirring the age-old 'was Hodgson actually a good manager' debate)....
s*** I have finally been "outed" as I don't use Twitter! I went for Knowles as Manager, Hodgson a close second for me.

User avatar
Spyman
Posts: 12623
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:04 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Spyman » Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:48 pm

I thought that looking through the list. Defenders, forwards and keepers we've had lots that stood out. As someone who has followed since the late 90s, certainly less midfielders stand out to me.

Gray, Kennedy, Turnbull probably, relatively speaking. Problem is, the first two were with us quite a short time.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
On Sunday April 29, 2012 at 10:25 pm, Darlo Cockney wrote:Sadly some people have nothing better to do that invent rumours.

We will be playing at the arena again next season - fact.

Quakerz - if you actually attended games and spoke to people you might actually find our facts, rather than spreading s*** on this board.

DC

Kentquaker
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:04 am
Team Supported: Darlington
Location: Gillingham, Kent

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Kentquaker » Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:17 pm

John Burridge
Clive Nattrass
John Stone
Frank Grey
Alan Sproates
Dennis Wann
Barry Lyons
Alan Walsh
Panel Abbott
Marco Gabbiadini
Lloyd Maitland
Probably a very unbalanced side with two old fashioned wingers but some fantastic players from the last forty years

BUSHEAD
Posts: 1554
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:02 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by BUSHEAD » Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:27 pm

Kentquaker wrote:John Burridge

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Think before posting

User avatar
loan_star
Posts: 7090
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:01 am
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by loan_star » Tue Mar 28, 2017 7:40 pm

Kentquaker wrote:John Burridge
Clive Nattrass
John Stone
Frank Grey
Alan Sproates
Dennis Wann
Barry Lyons
Alan Walsh
Panel Abbott
Marco Gabbiadini
Lloyd Maitland
Probably a very unbalanced side with two old fashioned wingers but some fantastic players from the last forty years
Why put a shite keeper in a good side?

User avatar
Darlobaz79
Posts: 1168
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:17 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Darlobaz79 » Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:11 pm

The Darlo uncovered team asked that on many occasions when a certain D. Robinson appeared in sticks

User avatar
don'tbuythesun
Posts: 2393
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:24 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by don'tbuythesun » Tue Mar 28, 2017 9:37 pm

I remember Burridge at Chester having a laugh with the crowd. Didn't Nick keep goal for Uncovered for a while. I used to speak to him at games all over the place but haven't seen him for years. He traveled everywhere.

princes town
Posts: 4127
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:14 pm
Team Supported: Darlington/Blackburn

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by princes town » Tue Mar 28, 2017 10:33 pm

Yes the midfield rank, particularly central, is pretty mediocre. For me Andy toman and the much under-rated Clark keltie are the obvious stand outs. Robbie Blake was pure class like David Currie.

These surveys do favour recent players. It is also uncertain whether you are voting for players who were specifically brilliant at darlo or who went onto make a great career elsewhere. I think Blake accumulated more transfer fees than any player in darlo history.

My list of players who I enjoyed watching

Kaspar schmeichel
Dan burn
Simon shaw
Sean gregan
Matty Appleby

Andy toman
Clark keltie
Gary bannister

David currie
Robbie Blake
Peter duffield

Darlo_Pete
Posts: 14075
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:13 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Darlo_Pete » Wed Mar 29, 2017 6:07 am

I mentioned Burridge in the worst player thread!!! He once let on a goal I think direct from a corner without him even being challenged, right in front of the tinshed.

BUSHEAD
Posts: 1554
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:02 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by BUSHEAD » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:29 am

princes town wrote: the much under-rated Clark keltie

WTF

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Under rated ???

Biggest show pony going .
Think before posting

bga
Posts: 2263
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:18 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by bga » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:36 am

princes town wrote:Yes the midfield rank, particularly central, is pretty mediocre. For me Andy toman and the much under-rated Clark keltie are the obvious stand outs. Robbie Blake was pure class like David Currie.

These surveys do favour recent players. It is also uncertain whether you are voting for players who were specifically brilliant at darlo or who went onto make a great career elsewhere. I think Blake accumulated more transfer fees than any player in darlo history.

My list of players who I enjoyed watching

Kaspar schmeichel
Dan burn
Simon shaw
Sean gregan
Matty Appleby

Andy toman
Clark keltie
Gary bannister

David currie
Robbie Blake
Peter duffield
If you blinked you missed Schmeichel's Darlo career!

windyforce4
Posts: 186
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2012 11:59 am
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by windyforce4 » Wed Mar 29, 2017 8:42 am

Best midfield player for me was Gary Bannister total class for our level.

User avatar
divas
Posts: 13213
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:38 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by divas » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:09 am

Shout for MBW as midfielder. In fact that trio of Verma, Smith & MBW were pretty decent. Was a shame Gary Smith's career ended prematurely just as he was starting to show some form

User avatar
Spyman
Posts: 12623
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:04 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Spyman » Wed Mar 29, 2017 9:29 am

divas wrote:Shout for MBW as midfielder. In fact that trio of Verma, Smith & MBW were pretty decent. Was a shame Gary Smith's career ended prematurely just as he was starting to show some form
And Paul Terry.

That diamond midfield was a good unit.
On Sunday April 29, 2012 at 10:25 pm, Darlo Cockney wrote:Sadly some people have nothing better to do that invent rumours.

We will be playing at the arena again next season - fact.

Quakerz - if you actually attended games and spoke to people you might actually find our facts, rather than spreading s*** on this board.

DC

User avatar
DL5
Posts: 4629
Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2009 5:26 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by DL5 » Wed Mar 29, 2017 10:46 am

No mention of Foster :o
.

lo36789
Posts: 10913
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:58 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by lo36789 » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:36 am

Maddison and Hignett were very good midfielders for us just in the twilight of their careers. Atkinson gave us a pretty good shift for the time he was with us.

I think the challenge is the time they were with us. Neil Heaney and Martin Smith were both quality left midfielders.

User avatar
Spyman
Posts: 12623
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:04 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Spyman » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:47 am

Actually I'd probably have Neil Maddison in my midfield.
On Sunday April 29, 2012 at 10:25 pm, Darlo Cockney wrote:Sadly some people have nothing better to do that invent rumours.

We will be playing at the arena again next season - fact.

Quakerz - if you actually attended games and spoke to people you might actually find our facts, rather than spreading s*** on this board.

DC

User avatar
D_F_C
Posts: 2054
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:43 am
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by D_F_C » Wed Mar 29, 2017 11:55 am

Darlobaz79 wrote:The Darlo uncovered team asked that on many occasions when a certain D. Robinson appeared in sticks
:thumbup:

darlo2001uk
Posts: 1413
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:10 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by darlo2001uk » Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:08 pm

Any best-ever Darlo side HAS to have Gabbas and Walshy in it. And probably David Currie as well. Oh yes, let's not forget Robbie Blake.

What the hell - let's play 4 up front and work on the basis that we'll score more goals than we let in.

Oh, wait, isn't that ............no, let's not go there :)

User avatar
Spyman
Posts: 12623
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:04 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Spyman » Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:53 pm

Based on my time watching Darlo, and relative to level played at, I'd go for:

Collett

Liddle
Foster
Brown
Heckingbottom

Turnbull
Maddison
Bridge-Wilkinson

Thompson
Abbott
Gabbiadini
On Sunday April 29, 2012 at 10:25 pm, Darlo Cockney wrote:Sadly some people have nothing better to do that invent rumours.

We will be playing at the arena again next season - fact.

Quakerz - if you actually attended games and spoke to people you might actually find our facts, rather than spreading s*** on this board.

DC

bga
Posts: 2263
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:18 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by bga » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:08 pm

Spyman wrote:Based on my time watching Darlo, and relative to level played at, I'd go for:

Collett

Liddle
Foster
Brown
Heckingbottom

Turnbull
Maddison
Bridge-Wilkinson

Thompson
Abbott
Gabbiadini
What no Walshy? I went for him as he was not just a goalscorer but also a provider............Oh bit like you choosing Thomo I guess!

jjljks
Posts: 3007
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2015 10:25 am
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by jjljks » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:12 pm

Am I alone in my appreciation of one David Robert Speedie? Scottish forward who played most notably for Chelsea, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. He accumulated more than 500 football league appearances and scored almost 150 goals in a 14-year professional career. He also earned ten international caps for Scotland. He came to us from Barnsley with a poor reputation and fiery temper which he was helped to sort out and moved after 2 great years at Feethams to Chelsea. Kenny Dalglish who was no mean judge of a footballer paid £750k to bring him to Liverpool - so perhaps I am only alone in remembering him in a Darlo shirt?

User avatar
Spyman
Posts: 12623
Joined: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:04 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by Spyman » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:33 pm

bga wrote:
Spyman wrote:Based on my time watching Darlo, and relative to level played at, I'd go for:

Collett

Liddle
Foster
Brown
Heckingbottom

Turnbull
Maddison
Bridge-Wilkinson

Thompson
Abbott
Gabbiadini
What no Walshy? I went for him as he was not just a goalscorer but also a provider............Oh bit like you choosing Thomo I guess!
Before my time.
On Sunday April 29, 2012 at 10:25 pm, Darlo Cockney wrote:Sadly some people have nothing better to do that invent rumours.

We will be playing at the arena again next season - fact.

Quakerz - if you actually attended games and spoke to people you might actually find our facts, rather than spreading s*** on this board.

DC

bga
Posts: 2263
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:18 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by bga » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:34 pm

jjljks wrote:Am I alone in my appreciation of one David Robert Speedie? Scottish forward who played most notably for Chelsea, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. He accumulated more than 500 football league appearances and scored almost 150 goals in a 14-year professional career. He also earned ten international caps for Scotland. He came to us from Barnsley with a poor reputation and fiery temper which he was helped to sort out and moved after 2 great years at Feethams to Chelsea. Kenny Dalglish who was no mean judge of a footballer paid £750k to bring him to Liverpool - so perhaps I am only alone in remembering him in a Darlo shirt?
As Princess Town says (see above) depends whether you select the Eleven based on their time at Darlo, as I tried to do, or what they went on to achieve. Don't disagree with you about Speedie, but I guess on that basis you can include Pallister as well! Maybe we helped Speedie kick on with his career, and perhaps in a different way we did with Pallister as well?

bga
Posts: 2263
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 7:18 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by bga » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:34 pm

Spyman wrote:
bga wrote:
Spyman wrote:Based on my time watching Darlo, and relative to level played at, I'd go for:

Collett

Liddle
Foster
Brown
Heckingbottom

Turnbull
Maddison
Bridge-Wilkinson

Thompson
Abbott
Gabbiadini
What no Walshy? I went for him as he was not just a goalscorer but also a provider............Oh bit like you choosing Thomo I guess!
Before my time.
Fair point!

lo36789
Posts: 10913
Joined: Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:58 pm
Team Supported: Darlington

Re: Best ever Darlo players (Northern Echo)

Post by lo36789 » Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:46 pm

Speedie was on the echo site.

I can only really talk about my period of watching Darlington which was really from 97/98ish when the players got change in the orange portacabins. I still remember when Tutill and Liddle joined.

Collett
Liddle
Foster
De Vos
Heckingbottom
Wainwright
Kennedy
Maddison
Smith
Abbott
Gabbiadini

Post Reply