At the start of 2026 we gave Darlo fans the target of taking our already-record high number of DFC fan owners (1,338) to 1,400+ before the end of the season. We thought that that number was achievable across three months.

As we all know, Darlo fans love a target, as evidenced by Boost The Budget each May, so it shouldn't surprise anyone in the world of football to find out that the 1,400+ DFC fan owner number target was hit in the first week of February! 84 new fan owners signed up - a 6% increase and 652 more fan owners than we had in January 2020 (an 85% increase!).

Which means that, for the first time since fan ownership commenced in mid-2012, we have reached 1,400 DFC fan owners/DFCSG members. Another big milestone.

For those that aren't aware already, Darlington Football Club is owned by it's fans. Members of DFCSG (Darlington Football Club Supporters Group) make up the majority shareholder group of the club - just over 90% at present - with every single DFC fan owner/DFCSG member having a say in how our football club is run.

"Football clubs are for life, not just for business..."

The more DFC fan owners/DFCSG members we have, the stronger our club becomes and the better we are on the pitch.

For example, DFCSG were proud to assist Steve and Terry with additional funds towards last season’s playing budget (at a time when the club were talking to Doncaster Rovers and Sunderland with regards to Will Flint and Caden Kelly's loans) - money raised directly from membership fees; fans contributing to the manager's budget directly through fan ownership. By becoming a fan owner, you are financially investing in the club.

Our DFC fan owners/DFCSG members enjoy a range of exclusive benefits for being a part of the collective, all for just £25 a year (or £2.09 a month).

As an example, those who can say that they have an ownership stake in the club via DFCSG membership can enjoy a range of discounts from local business via our growing Quaker Savers scheme. This list keeps on growing (37 brands/businesses and counting...).

The YOURCLUB Content back catalogue of columns, articles, videos and interviews here on YOURCLUB currently sits at just over 290, the vast majority of which are DFC Owner-only in terms of access.

Quaker Retail offer DFC fan owners/DFCSG members 10% off and there is also a discount available on the DFCSG Supporters' bus for travelling to away games.

And we have more DFC fan owner/DFCSG member-only benefits planned for the coming year and beyond too, so it is only going to become even more vital over time to be involved.

But, beyond discounts, exclusive access and special offers, we have always felt that being able to say: "I'm part of a collective that owns *my* football club..." is one of the biggest benefits on offer to DFC fan owners/DFCSG members. Not many football fans, particularly in England, can say this.

To have gone from virtually nothing in 2012, when extinction was a possibility, to being in the play-off spots in the National League North after three promotions across four seasons (2013 to 2016), with 1,400+ of us owning c90% of the football club, is some achievement and something we should all be very proud of.

So, if you're already one of the 1,422 (at time of writing - Tuesday 10th February 2026) DFC fan owners/DFCSG members, we thank you for your support and dedication to the club. It means everything.

If you're not one of those 1,422, then read this then click here to sign up today - what are you waiting for?!

Help us get to 1,500+ before season 2026/27 rolls round...