Darlington Football Club 1980s Hall of Fame
On Saturday 11th April 2026, prior to our NLN match against Marine, the third tranche of individuals were inducted to the Darlington Football Club Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the fortunes of Darlington Football Club, specifically during the 1980s (following the 1960s and the 1970s).
This project was first 'hatched' in early-2022 by DAFTS (Darlington Away Far Travelling Supporters), who are a social group of exiled supporters. They have sponsored this project in conjunction with DFCSG.
In 2025, DFCSG canvassed supporters for their 1980's nominations. DAFTS, after some lengthy deliberations in conjunction with the DFCSG Board, decided on a list of eight inductees.
DFC Hospitality host Andrew Scullion was joined by Tony Waters, Ted Blair and Steve Duffy, all of DAFTS, to induct the following eight individuals (with thanks to Doug Embleton for the below citations):
(1) Alan Walsh
278 appearances - 100 goals.
Record goal scorer with 100 goals in all competitions, across six seasons. Arriving from Middlesbrough in 1978, he played on the left on the wing or as a striker. His thunderbolt shots were sometimes preceded by a stepover routine, "the Walshy Shuffle". Memorable goals included four in the second half to earn a 5-2 derby win over Hartlepool, Walsh's hometown club on Easter Monday, 1982. He left for Bristol City in summer 1984 for £18,000, well below his value to Quakers fans.
(2) Dave McLean
337 appearances - 52 goals.
Signed from Carlisle in the summer of 1979, McLean was a key and committed midfielder in Cyril Knowles’ promotion winning side. He had a non-stop engine, tenacity and an excellent goals per game ratio in his seven seasons at Feethams.
(3) Kevan Smith
440 appearances - 22 goals.
A true club legend who played for the club over two spells and three promotion-winning seasons. Arriving as a lanky 19 year-old in 1979, "Smudger" quit his job as a welder and immediately forged his place in the centre of defence. He left the club for Rotherham after helping Darlington to its first promotion since 1966. But Brian Little brought him back in 1989 to captain the team to successive promotions. Smith could cause as much consternation to home fans with his back passes as he did to opposing defenders with his heading ability when he pushed up into their box for a corner.
(4) David Speedie
95 appearances - 22 goals.
An astute signing from Barnsley in the summer of 1980, Speedie's talent quickly emerged in his new surroundings. Often appearing in the number 6 shirt, Speedie's energy was epitomised by his prodigious leaps to produce goalscoring headers despite not being the tallest of players. Every single match yielded a "ten for tenacity". He made a £65,000 move for Chelsea in 1982 and a long and illustrious career, with clubs ranging from Coventry to Liverpool. He also earned 10 caps for Scotland.
(5) Fred Barber
163 appearances.
Served a long apprenticeship with the club before his debut and match-winning saves in a 3-1 home win v Stockport County at the end of March 1983. A virtual ever present thereafter and a key part of Cyril Knowles' promotion team of 1985. A bit of a character, he often wore a mask as teams entered the pitch. He left for Everton as an understudy to Neville Southall before a well-travelled career at the likes of Walsall and Peterborough.
(6) Mark Prudhoe
210 appearances.
Already an experienced, journeyman goalkeeper after being signed from Carlisle in 1989, "Prud" was a vital cog in Brian Little's team which won back-to-back promotions. The team's style often saw him bringing the ball slowly up field with his feet before carefully launching it forwards. But it is for his bravery and agility that he is most fondly remembered. A stand-out was in the Division 4 championship season, when Prudhoe made countless saves at Hartlepool to shut out the home side, with a North Sea wind driving heavy rain across the pitch. It earned him a rare 10 out of 10 rating in the Northern Echo. A great character in a great team.
(7) Cyril Knowles (manager)
As a player, the Yorkshireman was closely associated with Spurs, with the hit song "Nice One, Cyril" dedicated to him and inspired by his fabulous left wing centres. After two years as assistant manager at Middlesbrough, he joined Darlington in 1983 as manager and secured promotion to Division 3 in his second season. He recruited from his old club and steered Darlington to a famous 2-1 FA Cup 3rd Round replay win over the Teessiders. He quit in 1987 after failing to keep Quakers up for a second season. After spells in charge at Torquay and Hartlepool, Knowles sadly died of a brain tumour in 1991 at the age of 47.
(8) Brian Little (manager)
Little arrived from a coaching job at Middlesbrough in 1989, but not in time to save Darlington from losing its league status. His rebuilding of the squad was masterful, and he instilled a new discipline and belief underpinned by his own calm persona which readily transmitted to the media, players and fans alike. Little steered Quakers to successive promotions. Inevitably, his reputation attracted the attention of bigger clubs and Little left for Leicester City, where he enjoyed success, and later too at his old club Aston Villa.
David Speedie, Kevan Smith, Brian Little, Alan Walsh and Mark Prudhoe were there in person to receive their award of a framed photograph with citation. Framed photos sent out to Julian Knowles (Cyril's son) and Fred Barber, who were not able to attend.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to trace Dave McLean.
The 'Hall of Fame' will initially be in the form of this 'virtual gallery' here on YOURCLUB until such time that the Club is in the position to have a physical exhibition for fans to be able to view.