WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Today we entertain our old foes Hereford FC. 

The Bulls are historically one of the best-supported clubs in non-league and, just like Darlo, have risen through the football pyramid following a turbulent past. 

Hereford United was wound up by the High Court with debts of around £1.3m in December 2014. A new 'phoenix club' was formed three days later and won three league titles in its first three campaigns. Like Quakers, The Bulls have become a bit stuck since their promotion to NLN in 2018.

At the time of writing, Hereford FC occupy 18th place having struggled to make an early impact. Four defeats in six games, 10 goals conceded and a minus 5 goal difference tells its own story.     

Whilst it's been an equally frustrating start to the season for Quakers, I'm confident that we'll climb the table and fight for a play-off place as the season progresses. We're dominating possession, creating chances, and scoring goals. We just need to tighten up at the back, and the wins will come thick and fast. It feels like we've got a stronger squad than last season and we're not a million miles away from clicking.

Our road to Wembley gets up and running on the weekend of 12th, 13th and 14th September and we've been draw away to either Silsden or Bootle...a winnable tie or banana skin?

We'd all love a good cup run...dreams of Manchester United away!

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the supporters, players, and officials of Hereford FC.

MORECAMBE FC SAVED!

It was good to see that 'The Shrimps' were saved following the purchase by the 'Punjab Warriers'.

After cobbling together a team following the appointment of new manager, Ashvir Singh Johal, the club was able make a delayed to their start to the season in the National League with an emotional 2-1 home win against Altrincham in front of 3,400 fans.

Problems are mounting at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship as the club has failed to pay wages on time for a third successive month, resulting in EFL sanctions and a squad starting the season which was short on senior players.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters continued to make their views on owner Dejphon Chansiri clear with a mass boycott of the club's recent EFL Cup tie against Leeds United.

Stands were empty as fans stayed away - a boycott backed by more than 80% of Wednesday supporters according to the SWFC Supporters Trust who encouraged fans to donate their ticket money to the Sheffield Children's Hospital Charity instead.

DFC FAN OWNERSHIP

Now that the 2025/26 season is well underway, why not get more involved and join 1,330+ other DFC Owners, including the likes of Ben Hedley, Gary Smith, David Hodgson, Peter Kirkham, Gavin Worboys, Paul Ward and Kasabian's Chris Edwards, all of whom have a say in how our football club is run?

For just £25 a year (or £2.09 a month) you can gain access to a range of benefits/offers as well as feeling the pride and passion of knowing that you own YOUR football club! You have a proper say in how DFC is run. How many football fans around the world can genuinely say that?

So, if you’re not part of the DFCSG/DFC fan ownership community, click here to read more about the benefits of being a DFC Owner and sign up today!

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS’ COACH

At the time of writing, we didn't know the outcome of the FA Cup replay between Bootle and Silsden. In the event that we travel to Bootle on Saturday 13th of September, the coach will depart from Park Place at 10.45am. The price for adult DFCSG members will be £25 (£13 juniors) and adult non-members will be £28 (£14 juniors).

Should Silsden win the replay, the coach will depart from Park Place at 11.45am. The price for adult DFCSG members will be £23 (£12 juniors) and adult non-members is £26 (£13 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