WELCOME FROM JON SADDINGTON

In the immortal works of Mike Bassett, Darlington will be playing 4-4-bleep-2. It worked for Mike Bassett, and it appears to be working for Steve Watson. Two wins in three games, built from a stable platform. 

Hopefully we've picked up a point or three on our travels to South Wales or, at worst, a positive performance that build's confidence.

Paddy McLaughlin, Max Howells and Darryl Ombang all impressed on their debuts, adding strength and depth to our injury-hit squad. Will Hatfield's season-ending injury was particularly hard to take, and we wish him a speedy and full recovery.

Our opponents, Worksop Town, were promoted to the National League North last season. The Tigers won three of their opening six matches but have struggled for consistency ever since. 

Worksop secured an impressive away win at Fylde, but disappointing defeats to Bedford Town and Marine suggest a level of inconsistency often found at this level. 

Former Quakers Tommy Taylor, Joe Leesley & Liam Hughes are all likely to feature for the Tigers…so let’s give them a particularly a warm welcome!   

I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks for your support and attendance this evening. Without your continued backing, we couldn't operate at this level of football. 

Some will have been tempted by the lure of Champions League football on TV and the comfort of a warm living room, but you're here supporting YOUR team and that means an enormous amount to the players, management and directors of DFC.  

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

DFCSG AGM

Following our Annual General Meeting in the Dolphin Centre on 23rd October, I'd like to welcome Martin Bean, who was newly elected to the board.

Martin brings with him a wealth of experience from a 15+ year career in website design and development that will help increase DFCSG's online presence.

I'm also very pleased that Joanne Cameron was re-elected to the Board.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Andrew Matthews, Liam Tinkler, and Andrew Scullion, who had all decided to step down. I'd like to thank each one of them for their excellent input to the Board, and in particular to Andrew Matthews for his devotion as Treasurer since 2015.

PRIME MINISTER COMMENDS NATIONAL LEAGUES'S 3UP CAMPAIGN

The Prime Minister told Parliament on 29th October that he "commends" the campaign to increase the amount of promotion places from the National League into the EFL.

Sir Keir Starmer commended the National League’s "3UP" campaign in response to a question from Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash at Prime Minister's Questions.

"Football is a game based on fairness," Brash told the House of Commons. "Yet brilliant clubs that unite communities every week like Hartlepool are being held back by a fundamental unfairness.

"The 3UP campaign, backed by all 72 National League clubs, including Hartlepool United, and championed by Hartlepool legend Jeff Stelling, seeks to grant a third promotion place from the National League into EFL League Two. This simple change would be transformational for these historic clubs – many of which are over a century old."

TRAVELLING AWAY ON THE SUPPORTERS’ COACH

Our next scheduled away trip is on Saturday 8th November, when we travel 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).

Then on the following Saturday (15th November) we make the trip to FC United of Manchester in the FA Trophy. The coach will depart from Park Place at 11:15am. The price for adult DFCSG members is £25 (£13 juniors) and adult non-members is £28 (£14 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