Around 60 ex players and officials coming to reunion
By Ray Simpson
Dig out your old Darlo shirts and scarves!Preparations are well under way now for Sunday’s book laun...
Preparations are well under way now for Sunday’s book launch and player reunion.
We have around 60 former players and officials coming to the reunion, from Darlington sides all through the years, from the 1966 promotion winning team, through 1985, 1990, 1991, 2013 and 2015.
But we have also invited players who have provided special memories as well – players such as Steve Gaughan, Neil Maddison, Phil Brumwell, Glenn Naylor, Steve Tutill, Marco Gabbiadini – as well as Trophy winners Jamie Chandler and Sam Russell.
This is the first reunion since the Farewell to Feethams reunion in 2003 – so there’s a lot of catching up to do. Why not wear your old Darlo shirt and scarf?
Darlo’s on the Up (by Ray Simpson) is a 256 page account of Darlington’s six successful campaigns, and contains around 150 photos. There are contemporary quotes from Lol Morgan, Cyril Knowles, Brian Little and Martin Gray, plus memories from players such as John Peverell, Carl Airey and Kevan Smith. And there are loads of supporter memories as well, including some from that 1965-66 season, the first promotion at that time for 41 years. The price of the book is £12.
Admission to the event is free, tickets aren’t required. (We issued tickets to gauge the interest, and we know that there is plenty!). It all starts in the Dolphin Centre at 2pm.
Here’s the list of players and officials (in no particular order) who have indicated that they will be attending on Sunday. There could be more, as we don’t have contact numbers for many former players, and more could turn up on the day after reading our website or the Northern Echo, or by word of mouth. We’re giving them a name badge each so then you can recognise them! There will be other fundraising activities going on and Quaker Retail will be there. Let’s hope that we all have a great afternoon.
Bring your pen, camera, and some money!
If you’re a former player who hasn't been contacted, then you will be most welcome. Turn up at the Dolphin Centre by 1.45, go upstairs, through the coffee bar, and ask to be directed to the VIP suite.
Gary Brown
Jamie Chandler
Neil Wainwright
Craig Liddle
Steve Gaughan
Mark Barnard
Gary Pearson
Mark Forster
Kevin Stonehouse
Gary Coatsworth
Kevan Smith
Jim Platt
Lee Tucker
Sean Gregan
Gary Gill
Sam Russell
Mitch Cook
Les McJannet
Amar Purewal
Alan White
Stephen Thompson
Neil Maddison
David Hodgson
Craig Gott
Simon Shaw
Mick Tait
Drew Coverdale
Danny Mellanby
Brian Atkinson
Martin Gray
Kevin Burgess
Andy Collett
Eddie Kyle
John Hope
John Peverell
Craig Hignett
Glenn Naylor
Steve Tutill
Gary Bennett
Chris Hughes
Paul Campbell
Lee Nogan
Neil Aspin
Mark Bell
Clive Nattress
Phil Brumwell
Joe Tait
Micky Trotter
Matthew Coddington
Steve Holbrook
Marco Gabbiadini
Robbie Painter
Mark Prudhoe