WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Welcome back to Blackwell Meadows for today's game against Leamington, as we look to keep our play‑off push on track.

We're currently running at 1.6 points per game, which projects to around 74–76 points over a full season. History tells you that's roughly the territory needed to secure seventh place.

Of course, the real prize is fifth, with the benefit of a home eliminator - but that will take a proper run of wins. On paper, fixtures against Leamington (h), Radcliffe (h), Peterborough Sports (a) and Kidderminster (h) give us a real opportunity to build that momentum.

It's been a tough campaign for Leamington. At the time of writing, The Brakes sit bottom on 23 points and look destined for relegation. Yet they've shown real fight in recent weeks, "doing a Wolves" with a 2–1 win over Telford and a 1–1 draw with Fylde, impressive results in the circumstances.

Caretaker boss and former Academy Manager Chris Knott clearly has them playing for him, and those performances alone should remove any hint of complacency from our lads.

March, meanwhile, is turning into an endurance test rather than a footballing one. Two games a week on heavy pitches is taking its toll on a small squad, and physios Nathan and Luke have their hands full. Expect a queue at the treatment room.

Fingers crossed we avoid any more long‑term injuries. It really does feel like squad availability will be the decisive factor in where we finish.     

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

YOURCLUB DFC MEN’S PLAYER OF FEBRUARY 2026

Cedric Main is your YOURCLUB DFC Men's Player of February 2026!

From ten shortlisted players, Cedric received an impressive 48% of your votes, beating Ellis Stanton (20%) into second place.

Well done Cedric winning his second Men's POTM award of the 2025/26 season!

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

VOLUNTEERING AT DFC

Darlington FC is a club with its roots at the heart of its local community. The role that Darlington FC plays in the lives of many different groups of people across the town cannot be underestimated and it provides interest, passion and enjoyment for thousands of supporters.

The club is run almost exclusively by a dedicated band of volunteers – without them we would struggle to operate at our current level. All volunteers are as important as each other to the function of our club. Some are lifelong supporters of the club, others are not, but all have a passion to be part of something that makes a positive impact on the lives of others.

Volunteering can be extremely rewarding and is a great way to meet new people and put your skills to use for the greater good. At Darlington FC it comes in all shapes and sizes. If you're interested in getting involved, then we'd love to hear from you here.

FSA/NATIONAL LEAGUE STRUCTURED DIALOGUE MEETING

FSA representatives met with the National League CEO Phil Alexander and COO Michaela Garrard last month to discuss a range of issues affecting clubs in Steps 1 and 2 of the non-league game.

The FSA have regular structured dialogue meetings with senior National League executives, and topics included the work of the new Independent Football Regulator and the work that National League clubs are doing around fan engagement, progress on the National League’s 3UP campaign, and concerns with the ownership at Morecambe raised with us by the Shrimps Trust among others.

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS’ COACH

Our next scheduled away trip is on Saturday 21st March, when we make the trip to Peterborough Sports. The coach will depart from Park Place at 10.15am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £30 (£15 juniors) and adult non-members is £33 (£17 juniors).

The following Saturday (28^th March), we travel to AFC Fylde and again the coach will depart from Park Place at 11.30am. 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.