DFCSG News - Worksop Town, Saturday 8th August 2026

WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

Welcome to Blackwell Meadows for the opening fixture of the 2026/27 season.  

The bookies see South Shields as the current title favourites followed by Morecambe, Macclesfield, Hednesford Town and Chester. At 25/1, Quakers are currently 10th favourites for the title. Local rivals Spenny and Hebburn are 21st and 24th in the odds, respectively. Worksop are expected to finish somewhere between 15th and 20th. 

Steve and Terry have done some decent work in the transfer market, thanks to Boost the Budget. We've made some cracking signings with Mark Beck and Max Howells being particularly impressive. Adding Paddy McLoughlin to the squad following his loan spell and retaining the experience of Scotty Barrow and Tom Lees will prove to be equally important signings.

The close season has been very busy with £188,860 raised through Boost The Budget (an extraordinary example of what this Club's owners and fans will do to support their team), 900+ season tickets sold, the new kit launch, and packed pre-season schedule. 

A wholehearted thank you to everyone who contributed so generously.  

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

DFC FAN OWNERSHIP & 1,500+ OWNERS

We were delighted to hit the 1,500+ DFC owners mark for the very first time last month and we want to keep that number growing across the 2026/27 season. Our next target is 2,000 owners!

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 1,520+ 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!

BOOKING YOUR SEAT ON THE SUPPORTERS’ COACH FOR OUR AWAY MATCHES

Bookings are now open for the first couple of away matches of the new season.

Our first scheduled away trip is next Saturday (15th August), when we travel to Bedford Town. The coach will depart at 9.30am. We then travel to Harborough Town on Saturday 22nd August and the coach will depart from Park Place at 10.15am.

For either trip, 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 either via the DFC App (click on 'Shop') or by clicking here on YOURCLUB. 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.