Darlo Uncovered

Following their defeat at Dover yesterday, something occurred to me. Will the chimps ever make it back to the football league? To do so, they'll actually have to win some silverware, either in the form of the winning the league, or the playoffs. Nothing else to add. It just made me smile.

I think they've got a long hard season ahead of them and they'll be nearer the bottom than the top of the Conference come the end of the season.

Possibly, but not this year. Think they'll just miss out on the playoffs, which overall won't be a bad year for them. There's an inevitable transition period coming for them, they need a little stability. They might challenge next year (if we haven't been promoted of course!)

I think saturday was a reality check for them. A few on the bunker seemed to think that it would be playoffs minimum but there were also plenty that were more cautious.
Then they put a team on the pitch that was mostly last seasons failures and by all accounts played no better than they did last season against so called weaker opposition.

Similarly to when we first dropped into the Conference, it took a while to adjust and I think we ended up finishing just outside the play-offs (but with a good run in the Trophy, of course) once we'd found a good system that worked.

its so different from when we dropped into the conference first time round. back then, I'm sure all other teams were part time and we stayed full time - AND dick corden splashed the cash.

the chimp chokers will probably get a bit of a shock at the quality of teams they'll be up against.

It will be interesting to see what happens next year if they don't go straight back up..They have a parachute payment this year {not sure if it is still there next year} to help them stay full time, they also have a large following but we know how that
can drop off.
I think they will establish themselves in the conference this season and if they get someone to fund them they may push next season..If they fail to get funding they will probably stay at that level for some time, similar to Tranmere, Torquay, Wrexham and plenty of others

Comfortably_numb wrote:its so different from when we dropped into the conference first time round. back then, I'm sure all other teams were part time and we stayed full time - AND dick corden splashed the cash.

the chimp chokers will probably get a bit of a shock at the quality of teams they'll be up against.

Sorry - by first time I meant last time (the complete opposite)! Mark Cooper era.

I don't think Dover were among the favourites for promotion either, it's not like they were playing one of the big boys.

Comfortably_numb wrote:its so different from when we dropped into the conference first time round. back then, I'm sure all other teams were part time and we stayed full time - AND dick corden splashed the cash.

the chimp chokers will probably get a bit of a shock at the quality of teams they'll be up against.

In reality the Conference these days is not much different to the league. The distinction used to be that most of the Conference teams were part time whereas now 90% are full time. Add to that over 50% or teams are "traditional" league clubs anyway and it's a National and not a regional league and there's very little difference to league two.

divas wrote:

Comfortably_numb wrote:its so different from when we dropped into the conference first time round. back then, I'm sure all other teams were part time and we stayed full time - AND dick corden splashed the cash.

the chimp chokers will probably get a bit of a shock at the quality of teams they'll be up against.

In reality the Conference these days is not much different to the league. The distinction used to be that most of the Conference teams were part time whereas now 90% are full time. Add to that over 50% or teams are "traditional" league clubs anyway and it's a National and not a regional league and there's very little difference to league two.

Yep, an additional similarity is the Hartlepool were sh1t in League Two and they're sh1t in the Conference.

At least Dick's not geographically challenged!

And Dover were tired by the long trip

currently losing 1-0 to macclesfield

I know it's very very early days but the live table does make for excellent viewing...!

Wonder how long the new manager will last? He said he wanted a strong team this year, I don't think he meant strong enough to support all the teams above them in the table!!

Can we wait until full-time before being smug, please?

The hangers equalise in the second half and it ends 1-1.

Saw they were playing Macclesfield last night and for some daft reason thought to myself it was a LEAGUE CUP tie

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Spyman wrote:Saw they were playing Macclesfield last night and for some daft reason thought to myself it was a LEAGUE CUP tie

Is David Beckham?

TV stars today. Anyone watching them? Just gone 1-0 down. Gap currently down to 5 places. Not long since they were boasting it was 5 leagues.

Yes I just turned over just to see part-time Maidenhead going in front. The gap between us in theory could be very small by 5pm today!!

This will be a tough game today, full time club and signed some pretty good players, a millionaire director appointed a couple of months ago, 18 players brought in since last season.

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Toot toot. 2-0 Maidenhead. Mind the gap. 4 places now.

FT: Maidenhead 2-1 Hartlepool Utd. Lol

QUAKERMAN2 wrote:This will be a tough game today, full time club and signed some pretty good players, a millionaire director appointed a couple of months ago, 18 players brought in since last season.

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Maidenhead have still got the same team as last year, all part time. Only a couple of new signings and 10 of today's starters were there last season. The chairman has been there for years. Several of the team were in the Braintree side which was Mark Cooper's last game in charge of Darlo. Alan Devonshire was managing Braintree then and is now at Maids.

polam wrote:

QUAKERMAN2 wrote:This will be a tough game today, full time club and signed some pretty good players, a millionaire director appointed a couple of months ago, 18 players brought in since last season.

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Maidenhead have still got the same team as last year, all part time. Only a couple of new signings and 10 of today's starters were there last season. The chairman has been there for years. Several of the team were in the Braintree side which was Mark Cooper's last game in charge of Darlo. Alan Devonshire was managing Braintree then and is now at Maids.

I think he was talking about Alfreton.

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Yes, I was referring to Alfreton but the way we played after going a goal down was brilliant and just shows the character in this team.We looked a very good side today....roll on Tuesday.

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This s*** that's going on with our animal-torturing cousins is too funny.

I know they'll sort it out eventually but I can't help but have a frapp or two over their current predicament.

The way the season has started its going to be a long time until the chimp chokers visit Darlington for a league game.

Trading places at the end of the season is a real possibility. Not sure where their fall will end