WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Today we face Southport FC who have become regular opponents in the National League North. 

At the time of writing, the Sandgrounders occupy bottom place in the league; 8 places and 6 points below the Quakers. 

Southport were knocked out of the FA Cup courtesy of 1-3 home defeat to Halifax Town in the 4th Qualifying Round but bounced back with a credible 2-1 victory at Oxford City last weekend. 

Southport are steered by manager Neil Danns (formerly of Macclesfield) who carved out a successful pro-career turning out for Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace & Leicester City, not to mention 11 games on loan at Hartlepool. 

Southport have some decent players amongst their ranks including goalkeeper Chris Renshaw (former Curzon Ashton player of the season), and defender Sam Minihan who signed last season from Buxton, and striker Arthur Gnahoua formerly of Grimsby Town, Morecambe and Bolton.

Our last home game against Southport ended in a 3-0 home win for Darlo with goals coming from Andrew Nelson & Will McGowan (2). I’m sure we'd all take the same result today!

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

YOURCLUB DFC MEN’S PLAYER OF SEPTEMBER 2025

Charlie Lennon is your YOURCLUB DFC Men's Player of September 2025!

From ten shortlisted players, Charlie received a substantial 63% of your votes, beating Will McGowan (23%) into second place.

Well done Charlie on winning his first Men's POTM award of the 2025/26 season!

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

"CHANGE IS COMING" SAYS NEW REGULATOR

Last week the new chair of the Independent Football Regulator addressed clubs at the National Football Museum in Manchester. "Change is coming" was David Kogan's simple message to the leagues and clubs gathered in Manchester.

"The clubs at the top of the Premier League have a completely different world to the clubs in the National League. So can they be brought together? I believe they can."

DFC FAN OWNERSHIP

Now that the 2025/26 season is well underway, why not get more involved and join 1,350+ 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

Our next scheduled away trip is on Saturday 1st November, when we travel to Merthyr Town. The coach will depart from Park Place at 7:45am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £33 (£17 juniors) and adult non-members is £36 (£18 juniors).

Then on the following Saturday (8th November) we make the trip to Kidderminster Harriers. The coach will depart from Park Place at 9:30am. 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