WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Welcome to Blackwell Meadows for our final league game of the season.

The top half of the table is incredibly tight and, for the first time this campaign, our play‑off fate isn't in our own hands. We have to win today and then hope results elsewhere fall our way. In practical terms, two of the four sides above us need to lose if we're going to finish in the top seven.

AFC Fylde's recent form and overall quality suggest they'll take care of business against Merthyr Town. Looking at the other fixtures, you'd expect Buxton to beat Leamington at home, which leaves us keeping a close eye on Kings Lynn away at Chester and Bedford at home to Scarborough.

Keep those phones handy - this will go right to the wire.

A huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time and energy for Darlington Football Club and the Supporters Group throughout the 2025/26 season. Quite simply, the Football Club wouldn't exist without you.

Next season, cashflow will be tighter than in recent years, which means the next 'Boost The Budget' will be more important than ever. Thank you for every penny you've contributed so far, and for every penny still to come.

Our long‑term ambition remains the same: to build a new stadium and operate a sustainable model that doesn't rely on BTB. Until then, we continue to support the Club as its owners - and we'll see performances on the pitch that reflect the resources we're able to provide. Tottenham Hotspur being the exception to that rule, it seems.

Please stay with us after the final whistle for the 'Player of the Season' awards from the balcony.

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

BOOST THE BUDGET

DFCSG will be launching the ninth 'Boost The Budget' campaign next month. For those that don’t know, 'Boost The Budget' is the vehicle by which DFC's fan owners and fans get to invest in the following season's playing budget.

Last May, an incredible £181,600 was raised for Steve and Terry thanks to just shy of 700 individual investors. The average pledge was an incredible £230 (791 pledges were made).

Since May 2023, fans have invested £564,975 into the club's playing budget and the total investment since inception back in 2017 is over £1.1m. Incredible!

Look out for launch communications next month and thank you in advance to everyone who invests. It is, as ever, appreciated by everyone involved in the football club.

DFC FAN OWNERSHIP

We were delighted to hit the 1,400 DFC Owners mark for the very first time earlier this season and we want to keep that number growing across the pre-season and into 2026/27.

At time of writing, 1,442 Darlo fans can say that they part-own Darlington Football Club, which is fantastic.

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!

YOURCLUB MEN’S PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Also look out for your chance to vote on the final YOURCLUB Men's Player of the Month award in early May (for April).

This season five players have won the eight monthly awards to date – Cedric Main three times (August, February and March), Will McGowan twice (November and January) and Charlie Lennon (September), Jack Maskell (October) and Max Howells (December) once each.

Thank you to everyone who has voted in our monthly polls. But who will your pick be for April?

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS' COACH

Thank you to everyone who has travelled on a DFCSG coach to an away game this season – it is much appreciated. We will, of course, be back next season!