Plain and simple, however, the kit was a refreshing change from the previous season and it was a kit that was well-liked by most, though perhaps partially because people associate the kit with what was an enjoyable though ultimately frustrating season. This was the year that a team including Craig Liddle, Paul Heckingbottom, Neal Heaney and Marco Gabbiadini et al reached the play-offs and were lucky losers in the FA Cup. It was also a time when George Reynolds wasn't (yet) vilified by the great majority.

[caption id="attachment_12201" align="alignnone" width="300"] Craig Liddle[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12202" align="alignnone" width="300"] Neil Heaney[/caption]

This kit was worn in THAT memorable play-off win over Hartlepool as well as the infamous ‘lucky losers’ FA Cup tie at Aston Villa. Darlington had been knocked out of the Cup in the second round at Gillingham, but were plucked from the hat to replace Manchester United who were off to take part in a FIFA’s money-making exercise called the World Club Championship. Incidentally, the shirt that Martin Gray wore that day at Villa Park now belongs to Andrew Simpson, son of Ray, after it was rendered unusable due to an altercation with a Villa player, Martin being the entirely innocent party.

Bit of trivia for you there. Against Hartlepool, Quakers wore white shorts when they were not necessary (having worn the all-yellow away kit for the league game at Victoria Park), something they had done previously in the David Hodgson era, but the black shorts returned for the rain-sodden night at Wembley against Peterborough. That became this strip’s final outing and Gabbiadini gave someone a treasured memento when he threw his shirt into the crowd.