Now that the season has ended, I would just like to summarise what has been a unique season in many ways, and in some respects one that I hope we will never experience again.

On the field, the season might have ended in disappointment with the defeat by Hornchurch in the Trophy last Saturday, but I must pay tribute to Alun, his staff and the players for the way they persevered throughout the season in very trying circumstances. There was so much uncertainty and disruption to training and games, they never knew what challenge they would be facing next.

We mustn’t forget when we look back at the season that the team pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in the club’s history by winning in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup at League One club Swindon Town. That was a very professional performance, those of us who were fortunate enough to see the game live will never forget Adam Campbell’s two goals and the way we made Swindon look ordinary in the last twenty minutes.

That exciting Cup run was the club’s most successful since it became fan-owned nine years ago, let’s hope that there are more to celebrate in the future.

So, credit to Alun and the lads for reaching the second round of the FA Cup, and also for beating two clubs from above us in the national system in the Trophy, Weymouth and Wealdstone, to help us reach the quarter finals.

We only played eleven league games, but I always felt that with more consistency that in a normal season we would have climbed the table into the play offs. We showed occasional glimpses of what we were capable of with great performances against Blyth, Guiseley and Curzon Ashton for example.

Alun and the board will be talking soon about the squad for next season, and we will be launching Boost the Budget in May to help him build one. Let’s hope Boost the Budget is as successful as 2020’s campaign.

It has been a very difficult season in many ways. The controversy over continued financial funding through grants has been well-documented, and if we knew before a ball was kicked that grant funding wasn’t going to be available in January, then we wouldn’t have started. Everyone is aware of the club’s thoughts on the subject and we await further developments from the League. I’m sure that there will be more controversy to come over this issue, but as a club we have made our position clear. There was no way that this club is going to trade insolvently by taking on a six-figure loan for just four months of league games. The null and void decision to end the league was very much the correct one.

Our games have been postponed this season for several reasons. In the past, our games have been postponed because of bad weather or cup commitments; this year added to the list are league suspension, opponents’ Covid infections, our Covid infections, and just cause.

Setting the financial aspect aside, the start of the season was delayed until October with constant doubts over how long it would last because of the pandemic. Our players travelled all around the north of England for league games without any testing and while there was never any proof made public of any players at any football club catching the virus during the course of a game, there was always a big risk of our players bringing the virus to the group from their place of work or from their families, or taking it back with them from the team bus. The issue of testing as provided by the league was never resolved to our satisfaction. I know of players at other clubs who have been prevented from playing or training by their main employers because they were concerned about the virus being brought back to the workplace.

It is thanks to the rigid protocols introduced by Graham Reeves and Dave Watson that we have managed to restrict ourselves to one outbreak in the club that forced matches to be postponed. We are grateful to Graham and Dave for their work.

There are many people that I would like to thank for their hard and diligent work this season. Dave Watson, Dave Mills, Alun Armstrong, Chris Stockdale, John Vickerman, Jonathan Jowett, Jon Saddington, and Ray Simpson have all met every Thursday night for the last year to discuss and work upon all the issues that affect the club. All of them have burned the midnight oil on one project or another, and still continue to do so.

I would like to thank Quaker TV, who have been such a resounding success this season. They have produced top quality production and commentaries at every home game, and I must thank Stuart Armstrong, Kevin Luff, Michael Price, Andy Walker, Keith Lowis, Andrew Scullion, Nick Smith, Oli Armstrong, Tom Hunt, Ben Pearson, Wayne Raper, Chris Stockdale, Alex Holland and everyone else who has worked on Quaker TV for their professionalism. For away games, I would like to thank Michael Cansfield for travelling to many places around the country to bring us commentary on Darlo Fans Radio on our away games.

The 50/50 draw seemed to grow and grow as the season went on, and to offer a prize of over £3,000 for last Saturday’s draw was quite phenomenal! Andy Clarke has put a huge amount of work into that project, and for that we are very grateful. Just like Quaker TV, the 50/50 was a valuable revenue stream.

There have been many other volunteers who have worked so hard for the club in difficult circumstances, such as those in the media and matchday teams. I have always been amazed by their dedication to the club, especially when the virus was its worst.

The DFCSG has also been a strong pillar of support throughout the season, and I am grateful to them for their support and work behind the scenes.

Darlington Rugby Club have also been perfect hosts this season, and we are looking forward to further improving our relationship with them in the months to come.

Finally, I would like to thank all our fans for such strong financial and moral support during the most difficult season in the club’s history. Your generosity towards our fund raising schemes, Boost the Budget, Quaker TV and Quaker Retail has been remarkable, and your many words of support in these difficult times are assuring and much appreciated.

We are now facing a close season that is going to last at least five months, assuming that next season starts on the first Saturday in August! The preparation has already started, with several workstreams set up behind the scenes to look at various aspects of the club.

We will, as ever, keep you informed of club news on our official media channels throughout the spring and summer.

Here’s hoping to a brighter future once the vaccine is rolled out and we very much look forward to seeing you in person again at Blackwell once next season starts…..hopefully with fans in full attendance.

Take care, stay safe and try and enjoy the Summer months.

David