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Darlington: 10 Things

Posted by FC Halifax Town
Posted on Thu 18 Jul 2019
Posted in First Team

As Darlington are our next visitors to the Shay this pre-season, we will look at ten interesting things about them. Have a read here.

  1. Darlington were formed in July 1883 when several representatives from several teams in the town met in a local grammar school and decided to form one club.
  2. They reformed as Darlington 1883 in 2007 following their administration. They are now aiming to reach their former glories from the previous club.
  3. The club reached the last sixteen of the FA Cup in 1910/11. They had to play eight matches in the competition before being knocked out, including several qualifying rounds. The defeated First Division Sheffield United on route to the last sixteen.
  4. In 1934, Darlington took to the field at Old Trafford where they won the Third Division North Cup, defeating Stockport County in a 4-3 thriller.
  5. They also took to another big stage in 1955, having to play an FA Cup replay at the home of the holders, Newcastle United. This was due to floodlights not being available at Darlo’s home ground, whereas they were at St James’ Park. This was the first ever FA Cup game to be played under floodlights. The Quakers beat Carlisle 3-1.
  6. Darlo also made a visit to Wembley in 1996, facing Plymouth Argyle in the Third Division play-off final. Unfortunately, the 13,000 Quakers’ fans were unable to go home happy as they lost 1-0.
  7. The Quakers once had a home stadium that could hold 27,000 people. Due to financial issues, the club were forced to move out and with that came administration. The club were resultantly placed down in the Northern League. The Norther Echo Arena is still in use today; however, it is used by local rugby team, Darlington Mowden Park.
  8. Darlo’s new home is Blackwell Meadows. The first game to be played there was ironically against FC Halifax Town on Boxing Day in 2016.
  9. Darlington won the FA Trophy in 2011 as they defeated Mansfield Town 1-0 at Wembley. This was their second visit to Wembley, but their first at the new stadium.
  10. The club’s logo is in tribute to the town’s railway history, a key location on the East Coast Mainline. The train-like figure on the crest is called Locomotion Number 1.

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