WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Playing Merthyr stirs memories of our march toward the Vauxhall Conference title in the 1989/90 season. What a season that was…and my first as a Darlo supporter! 

Merthyr's journey highlights the harsh reality of how exposed football clubs become when ambition runs ahead of resources. By 2010, years of mounting debt and an ownership model that couldn't be sustained pushed Merthyr into administration, and, ultimately, liquidation. It was a painful time for a proud community club. 

Yet from that setback came a remarkable revival: supporters rallied, rebuilt, and relaunched the team as Merthyr Town FC, a fan‑owned club determined never to repeat the mistakes of the past. Just like Darlo, our visitors carry that legacy of resilience - proof that a football club truly belongs to its community and that tough times can bring new life.

Merthyr Town are absolutely flying this season, following promotion to National League North from the Southern League Premier Division. The Martyrs currently occupy 3rd place and look nailed-on for the play-offs. Top scorer Ricardo Rees departed for Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Eve, yet Merthyr have shown real resilience, collecting three wins from four outings in 2026.

The Quakers have also enjoyed an excellent start to 2026, wining two out of two - including our first victory at Chorley since 1989 (the Vauxhall Conference title winning season). No doubt Scott Barrow will be driving the lads to make it three wins from three, with victory over his fellow Welshman.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Fans’ Forum on Wednesday evening. I hope you found the discussion both encouraging and reassuring. The Club is moving in the right direction.

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

QUAKER SAVERS – TARGET 1,400+ FAN OWNERS!

Are you eligible to enjoy nearly 40 different discounts with local brands and businesses?

DFC fan owners/DFCSG members have exclusive access to our growing Quaker Savers scheme. And guess what, DFCSG membership only costs £25 a year (or £2.09 a month!) that come with a range of other benefits too.

At present, 37 local businesses have signed up to the scheme, but there are more to come and we will be adding other brands over time that you can enjoy exclusive discounts with, so check back regularly to see where else you could save.

If you are already a DFC fan owner/DFCSG member, all you need to do is prove your DFCSG membership/DFC ownership (via 'Your Account' on YOURCLUB or the 'YourClub' section of the DFC app) with the relevant club partner to receive your discount, be that a meal in Babul's, a haircut at Brotherhood Barbers or a discounted room at Blackwell Grange Hotel.

If you're not currently a DFC fan owner/DFCSG member but would like to take advantage of the Quaker Savers scheme, sign up today here and join (at time of writing) 1,370+ 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!

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS’ COACH

Our next scheduled away trip is on Saturday 7th February, when we travel to Southport FC. The coach will depart from Park Place at 10:30am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £30 (£15 juniors) and adult non-members is £33 (£17 juniors).

On Tuesday, 17th February, we make a long-haul for the re-arranged match at Hereford FC. The coach will depart from Park Place at 1.30pm. 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.