In 2002, as the club was preparing to leave Feethams, the Farewell to Feethams book, written by Andrew Wilkinson and RS, was published.

The book was a compilation of memories from fans, officials, managers and players who had served the club over the years, and in turn that revived many further memories of the club's exploits, especially with an emotional parade of former players at Feethams in May 2003.

The book, which was published in conjunction with the Northern Echo, has now been adapted for the Darlington website, and will appear over the next few months whilst we wait for football to restart.

We hope that the adaptation will revive more memories -- write to us, if you want, at media@darlingtonfc.org with your memories, and we'll do our best to publish them. 

This week, we cover the period from 1975 to when the book was published in 2002, just before we left Feethams.

Here's part 2, with a link to part 1

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/farewell-to-feethams-on-line-part-2

In 1975 Elton John was a visitor to Feethams, his Watford side losing 1-0 to an Eric Young goal. But still the side struggled, and on January 24^th 1982 the board revealed that unless £50,000 could be raised within six weeks the club would fold.

The Evening Despatch newspaper launched a centenary appeal. Sunderland came to play at Feethams as did a Southampton side skippered by England captain Kevin Keegan.

The money raised from the game and from the town rallying round saved the club. The irony is that soon afterwards the Despatch folded!
Darlington won promotion to the Third Division in 1985 under Cyril Knowles. At the higher level a run of eight successive defeats was followed by a sequence of 13 games without defeat. Such was the turnaround, that a 7-0 defeat at York in October was followed by a 6-0 win over Swansea in November.
But the following season Darlington were relegated. And disaster was just around the corner. In 1989 Darlington lost their League status, only to return immediately from the GM Vauxhall Conference, They went on to win the Fourth Division title. Ironically their first home defeat
in the Fourth Division Championship season, came from a Peterborough side managed by Dave Booth, who had not won a home game when Darlington manager for most of the relegation season. As he disappeared up the Feethams tunnel at the final whistle, one wag shouted: "Booth, this is the first time you've ever won here!"
Relegation back to the basement swiftly followed, despite a record outlay of £95,000 on striker Nick Cusack from Motherwell.

Soon another financial crisis loomed, which almost led to the club relocating to Gateshead as part of a tie up with Newcastle, Quakers chairman John Brockbank had kept the club afloat virtually single handed, and there was difference of opinion in the boardroom as to whether the club should secure its future by a move north, or battle on independently. The latter course was chosen, and the club went into the hands of St Philips Trust, a Gibraltar based organisation.

In 1996 Darlington reached the play-off final, losing 1-0 to Plymouth at Wembley, after beating Hereford over two legs in the semi final. The club only lost one away league game all season.

But after a 1-0 home defeat against Barnet the following season, the fans turned on general manager Steve Morgon, chanting for him to leave the club.
While owned by St Philips Trust the club had enjoyed success. What the fans wanted was a more 'up front' owner, not a trust that they couldn't relate to. Mike Peden was next at the helm, and under him, in 1998 the new 3,500 seater new East Stand was built, complete with bars, restaurant and executive boxes. But again the club was in deep financial trouble.
In stepped local millionaire businessman George Reynolds with plans to build a new stadium and take the club up through the divisions.
The stadium was soon to appear on the Neasham Road skyline, but getting out of the Third Division proved trickier than anticipated.
After seemingly having promotion all but wrapped up in the 1999/2000 season, a slump of seven games without a win, plunged the club back into the play-offs and another Wembley defeat at the hands of Peterborough after beating Hartlepool in the semi final.
Striker Marco Gabbiadini, regarded by many as the best striker the club ever had, left for Northampton.

The following season the team struggled, though it did win at First Division Nottingham Forest in the Worthington Cup, thanks to a long range goal by Stuart Elliott.
Early in season 2001-02 Tommy Taylor, an experienced manager arrived, determined to leave Feethams for Neasham Road with a winning team.

Here are the first two parts: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/farewell-to-feethams-on-line-part-2

Next time: The memories of former midfielder Ian Banks