WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Darlo's reward for an excellent second-half performance at Bootle is an away tie at AFC Fylde. Perhaps not the kindest draw, but we’re capable of beating any team from the National League North. It'll be a full-blooded cup tie, tough for both teams, but it feels like we're due a cup run so I'm optimistic.

Our former Football League rivals, Chester FC, visit Blackwell Meadows following victory in the FA Cup away to Stalybridge Celtic. Like Quakers, the Seals are a 'big club' at this level and continue to be regarded as a 'scalp' by the traditionally non-league clubs. 

At the time of writing, Chester occupy 17th place and arrive at Blackwell on the back of some indifferent league form including a 1-2 defeat at Worksop Town. Despite their rocky start to the season, Chester have some good players amongst their ranks including the long serving Declan Weeks and Tom Peers and are likely to improve (fingers crossed it's not today).

From a Darlo perspective, it's great to see injured players gradually returning to full fitness which bodes well for the months ahead. A fully fit Darlo squad featuring the recent absentees Tom Platt, Kal Griffiths, Matty Cornish, Alfie Myers-Smith and Eliott Forbes will be formidable and undoubtedly move us up to table.

Quakers have got a decent home record against Chester, winning 3 of the last 4 encounters at Blackwell.  Last season, we secured a 1-0 win thanks to a second-half goal from Cedric Main. I'd happily take the same result today.

Finally, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to the supporters, players, and officials of Chester.

YOURCLUB MEN’S PLAYER OF AUGUST

Cedric Main is your YOURCLUB DFC Men's Player of August!

From ten shortlisted players, Cedric received 34% of your votes, beating Will McGowan (31%) into second place and Josh Scott (10%) into third place.

Well done to Cedric on winning the first POTM award of the season!

Thank you to everyone who voted and look out on YOURCLUB at the beginning of October for your chance to vote on this September’s POTM.

'DARLO TILL I DIE' PODCAST

DFCSG Director's Jon Saddington and David Steel were recently guests on Darlo fan Adam Cattell's independent DFC podcast, "Darlo Till I Die". Adam is a lifelong Darlington fan and has lived in Australia with his family for around ten years now.

Adam, Jon and David talked about the start of the season, DFCSG, and Jon gave an update on the proposed 'new ground' situation, among many other DFC topics (including a Faustino Asprilla-inspired quiz!).

You can search for and listen to Adam’s new "Darlo Till I Die" podcast via Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

AYLESBURY UNITED – CLUB BADGE BATTLE

Aylesbury United's supporters' trust, 21st Century Ducks (21CD), are in a dispute over the ownership of the club's badge, which has been registered as a trademark in the personal name of club chairman Graham Read, rather than being held by the club itself.

In a statement they claim the club's chairman registered the trademark without consultation with the club's board or the supporters' trust, who own 39% of the club's shares.

It's an interesting and somewhat bizarre case that strikes at the heart of a club's identity and ownership. One for the Independent Football Regulator?

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS' COACH

Our next scheduled away trip is on Saturday 27th September, when we travel to AFC Fylde for our FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tie. The coach will depart from Park Place at 11:15am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £25 (£13 juniors) and adult non-members is £28 (£14 juniors).

Then on the following Saturday (4th October) we make the trip to Buxton FC. The coach will depart from Park Place at 10:15am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £25 (£13 juniors) and adult non-members is £28 (£14 juniors).

All bookings will need to be done via the DFC App (click on 'Shop'). We would urge supporters to remind themselves of our Conditions of Travel, particularly those under 18, at https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/away-travel-conditions-of-travel