WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Welcome to Blackwell Meadows for today's game against Marine.

Our visitors arrive on the back of a difficult run - just one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five, a sequence that has seen them slip to 13th and, realistically, out of the play-off picture.

That said, it remains an impressive showing in their first season at National League North level.

We enjoyed a strong result at Rossett Park back in September, running out 4–1 winners thanks to goals from Tom Allan, a Jack Maskell brace and Will McGowan, and the lads will be keen to reignite our own play-off push with a similar performance this afternoon.

The top half of the table is incredibly tight, and it feels like we may need two - perhaps all three - of our remaining games to secure a play-off place. Spennymoor and Chester are in excellent form, while Scarborough and Merthyr remain firmly in the mix. With so many head‑to‑head fixtures still to come between the top ten, the final standings could shift dramatically.

The Football Webpages predictor currently has Darlo finishing 7th, setting up a play-off eliminator at Kidderminster, a semi-final at Macclesfield and a final at South Shields - a daunting route to the National League, but one we'd gladly take, because on their day this team can beat anyone.

Strap yourself in; there are bound to be a few twists and turns yet.

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

THE PRICE OF FOOTBALL!

It was reported last week that Morecambe FC's Chief Executive Officer, and their Chief Operating Officer, met with members of the 'Shrimps Trust' for talks on several issues still facing the club as owners continue to inject £200k a month to keep the Shrimps afloat.

Minutes from the meeting reveal that the club "continues to face serious financial pressures, with insufficient revenue and excessive costs".

It was confirmed that owners Panjab Warriors - who took over in August 2025 - have been injecting approximately £200,000 per month to keep the club afloat, which is not considered sustainable.

DFC FAN OWNERSHIP & POTENTIAL PLAY-OFF GAMES

Should we make this season's National League North play-offs, DFC ownership/DFCSG membership will be part of 'Priority Group 2' for fans looking to secure tickets for any home play-off game. You can read more about this, and other ticketing priority groups for if we do make the play-offs, on both the club's website and official app.

As such, for those who currently aren't a DFC owner/DFCSG member, we would love to encourage an upgrade in your fan experience by asking you to join us. For those who are, perhaps you can convince a family member or friend to join us? For just £25 a year – or £2.09 a month – DFC owners/DFCSG members can get access to a whole range of exclusive 'Owner benefits'.

Sign up as a DFC owner/DFCSG member here and join 1,440+ other Darlo fans (and the likes of Ben Hedley, Gary Smith, David Hodgson, Peter Kirkham, Gavin Worboys, Paul Ward and Kasabian's Chris Edwards) in owning your club and having a say in how the club is run!

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS’ COACH

Our last National League North away trip of the season is on Saturday 18th April, when we journey to AFC Telford United. The coach will depart from Park Place at 10am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £30 (£15 juniors) and adult non-members is £33 (£17 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.