Darlington F.C.
| File:Darl Badge.jpg | |||
| Full name | Darlington Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Quakers | ||
| Founded | 1883 | ||
| Ground | 96.6 TFM Arena, Darlington | ||
| Capacity | 25,000 | ||
| Chairman | Stewart Davies | ||
| Manager | David Hodgson | ||
| League | League Two | ||
| 2005-06 | League Two | ||
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Darlington F.C. is an English football team based in the English town of Darlington, currently playing in Football League Two. The club's nickname is the Quakers, in reference to the religious movement that had a historic influence on the town.
The club plays at The 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena, a 25,000-seat stadium that opened in 2003. The club previously played at Feethams, which is located close to the historic town centre. The new ground is named after a local Radio Station under a sponsorship deal. Originally named the Reynolds Arena, after former chairman George Reynolds, it was renamed the New Stadium in April 2004, subsequently the Williamson Motors Stadium, and received the current name in November 2005.
The club was placed in administration on December 23rd 2003 but was taken over and came out of administration by the end of Summer 2004.
History
Darlington Football Club was founded at Darlington Grammar School in 1883. In 1889 it joined the new Northern League, which they won in 1896 and 1900. The club turned professional in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League.
In 1919/1920 the side managed to finish second in the North Eastern League and the following year were champions. This was a stroke of good look as their victory coincided with the forming of the Northern third division, which Darlington were elected to. Their first season in Division 3 was a successful one and they ended up in 2nd place. In 1925, they were champions and won promotion to division 2 but were relegated two seasons later.
In 1957/1958 they attained their best ever FA Cup run, reaching the last 16. This was not enough to stop them being put into the new division 4 with the reorganisation of the League. In 1966, they won promotion to Division 3 after finishing the season as runners-up, but were relegated the following year. In 1982, the club faced a financial crisis but survived thanks in part to winning promotion by finishing third in the league two years later.
In 1989, the team finished bottom of the league and was relegated to the Conference. However, they were only there for one season before winning promotion once more. The next season they were again champions winning division 4 - yet again, they lasted only two seasons in Division 3.
They have remained in the Third Division (now Football League Two) to this day. In the 1995/1996 and 1999/2000 seasons, they reached the playoff final, losing on both occasions.
In 2003 as part of the Farewell to Feethams celebrations. The club programme ran a competition to decide which Darlington’s best ever team would be. The top 11 players that made the team were: Mark Prudhoe, Ron Greener, Craig Liddle, Kevan Smith,John Peverell, Andy Toman,Alan Sproates, David McLean. Alan Walsh, Marco Gabbiadini and Colin Sinclair. Marco Gabbiadini won the overall award and was voted Darlington's Greatest Ever Player. During his 2 seasons at Darlington, Gabbiadini scored 50 goals.
Player Records
- Most league goals in a season - 39 David Brown (1924-25)
- Most league goals in total - 90 Alan Walsh (1978-84)
- Most league appearances - 442 Ron Greener (1955-68}
External links
Template:English Division Three
Darlington will be promoted this season