Harvey Madden Award - 2025 Winner

The Harvey Madden Award for Outstanding Contribution is presented annually at the end of each season to an individual or group who has played a pivotal role for the Club across the season.

Kirsty Madden, daughter of administrator Harvey who was a key factor in saving the Club in 2012, said: "When my dad passed away in 2015, we wanted to put something in place, not just for the glory on the field, but the glory behind the field because the club would be nothing if it wasn't for the support that comes from the stand."

The inaugural winner of the award in 2014/15 was Men’s First Team manager Martin Gray for his effort in guiding the Club to another promotion and into the EvoStik Premier Division.

Other previous winners of the award are:

2015/16 - The DFC Media Team

2016/17 - Glen & Mary Bowes

2017/18 - John Tempest

2018/19 - Lynn Jasper

2019/20 - Neil Raper

2020/21 - No award presented

2021/22 - James Charlton

2022/23 - Kevin Luff

2023/24 - Joanne Cameron

For 2024/25, Darlington fans were asked again to nominate who they thought were worthy recipients of the Harvey Madden Award via submissions through YOURCLUB.

The amount of nominations received was very impressive and a whole range of brilliant volunteers were put forward for consideration.

The Harvey Madden Award panel, made up of DFCSG board members and fans (Andy Clarke, Cheryl Pattison, David Steel, Joanne Cameron, Liam Tinkler, Richard Baker, Mick Dawson and Stuart Armstrong), deliberated over every single nomination and then each suggested who they thought should take the award for 2024/25.

Despite the amazing range of options open to the panel and the potential of numerous winners, a decision was made by the panel to award Wayne Raper the trophy for 2024/25.

Chief Executive David Johnston presented Wayne with the Harvey Madden Award trophy at the Needham Market game on Saturday 26th April 2025.

Here are some of the comments left by those DFC fans who nominated Wayne this year:

- "I nominate Wayne for all his work as both DFCSG chair and since across the last decade+. He is the brains behind much of the improvements to both the club and 'fan experience' during the fan-owned era, and - like most volunteers - ranges from working in the ground on a Saturday to thinking of key strategic measures such as 'Boost The Budget'..."

- "Wayne works tirelessly behind the scenes and has done for a number of years; ticketing; BTB, etc, and is also the current turnstile manager on match days..."

- "Wayne has been heavily involved with the club for a number of years. He was the brainchild of Boost the Budget and also instrumental in bringing the club into the 21st century with payment options on match day..."

Thank you to everyone who nominated someone and well done to all those volunteers who were put forward for consideration.