David Steel | 3rd March 2024
Missed today's game or just couldn't get hold of a programme? YOURCLUB Content brings you DFCSG's programme notes from the Banbury United game.
WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON
Before Saturday, we hadn't won a match after conceding the first goal since February 2023! We're now five points from safety after overcoming a side who beat us 5-0 earlier in the season…quite the turnaround!
Credit to Steve and Terry who continue to make positive improvements. Crucially, both remain confident of our survival which is a mindset we should all adopt.
I was delighted to see Andrew Nelson set up the first and score the second. It's not easy coming back after a career threatening injury, but the hard work is starting to pay off.
Today we entertain Banbury United. At the time of writing, the Puritans occupy 19th place in the league.
Recent form has been mixed with two wins (Scarborough & Darlo), two defeats (Buxton & Alfreton) and a draw (Chester). Ken Charles is the club’s top scorer on 10 goals. Another notable player is Manny Maja, the younger brother of former Sunderland striker Josh Maja.
Macron has been announced as the Club's new technical partner. The Italian Teamwear specialist will supply all matchday kits as well as a wide range of training wear, travel garments and accessories from next season.
Fan votes for the home and away kits have taken place and the winning selections should be on sale in the summer.
It’s great to see Lee Gaskill in hospitality today. Lee joined Darlo in September 2015 from Ramsbottom United. He made his debut against Marine at Heritage Park in September 2015, and in his first away game, scored a hat-trick against Mickleover Sports in a 5-1 win. Quakers ended the season as Northern Premier League Champions on 104 points.
Lee departed for Ashton United in the summer of 2016 but will always be fondly remembered for his attacking flair by Darlo supporters.
Finally, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the supporters, players, and officials of Banbury United. Enjoy the game!
YOURCLUB DFC MEN’S PLAYER OF FEBRUARY
Tomorrow we will be launching the vote for the "YOURCLUB DFC Men’s Player of February", so head on over to 'Polls' within 'Your Account' on YOURCLUB tomorrow evening and have your say!
In December Jonny Ngandu and Jake Lawlor shared the spoils with 30% of your votes each, whereas in January Scott Barrow took 37% of your vote to steal that particular POTM crown.
But who has done enough in February to get your vote this time? We look forward to finding out.
'GULLS' IN DIFFICULTIES
We are sad to learn that our former Football League adversaries Torquay United have gone into administration after owner, Clarke Osborne, said he can no longer fund the National League South club.
The Gulls have been owned by Osborne since 2016 after he bought the club from a fan-led consortium and his time Torquay have twice been relegated to the sixth tier. They missed out on promotion to League Two in 2021 after losing to Hartlepool United in the play-off final. After being deducted 10 points Torquay United are currently only four points above relegation to the Southern League.
Osborne, who has now stood down as Chair, had kept Torquay afloat - the last set of accounts show loans of almost £4.3m to the club. This leaves the club searching for a fourth owner in less than a decade.
Torquay United Supporters Trust have been vigilant towards the activities of Clarke Osborne and they have a strategy group that's been meeting regularly for the last two or three years and they have plans for any particular scenarios that might develop, like administration, liquidation, or whether it might even result in having to for a phoenix club.
Our thoughts are with Torquay United Supporters Trust and their wider fan-base.
DFCSG AWAY TRAVEL
We won't be running a coach to Spennymoor Town next Saturday (9th March) because there are regular direct bus services between Darlington and Spennymoor town centre.
The Arriva No. 8 service departs from Stand H on Tubwell Row (outside the 'Tubwell Tap') at 5 minutes to the hour and takes just over an hour. The 11.55am departure will arrive in Spennymoor comfortably in time for the 1pm kick-off. The return journey departs Spennymoor High Street at 47 minutes past the hour.
On Tuesday 12th March, we'll be making the trip to Blyth Spartans. The coach will depart from Park Place at 5pm. The price for adult DFCSG members is £22 (£11 juniors) and adult non-members is £25 (£13 juniors).
For details of other up-coming trips and how to book, including our 'Conditions of Travel due to Covid', please click here.
