Hattie joins the 100 club

By Ray Simpson

Sep 17, 2025

Striker reaches landmark

After Women’s first team manager, Shaun Mackenzie, took charge of his 100th competitive game towards the end of last season, Hattie Raine is the first player to achieve the feat and make the history books. After pulling on the Darlington shirt for the 100th competitive time in the recent 10-0 win against Hebburn on Sunday 14th September, Hattie marked her 100th appearance in true Hattie style, with a goal and four assists to add to her unbelievable record as a Darlington player.

Hattie joined the club when we first formed in 2021 at the age of 16. She had come through the youth system at Newton Aycliffe Youth but had always been a Darlington fan. Hattie trialled for the team in the first ever open sessions and hasn’t looked back since.

In her first season in black and white, she made 22 appearances, starting all 22 games and scoring 17 goals as well as providing 11 assists, mainly from the role of right wing. She also bagged herself the goal of the season award that year, a sensational effort against Hartlepool Pools Youth. After Sophie Curle’s departure in the clubs debut season, Hattie moved into a more central striker role for the 22/23 season. She scored 20 goals in 27 appearances, providing another 10 assists for the team in her second season.

In the season of 23/24, Hattie went on to make another 24 appearances, scoring 24 goals and registering 20 assists! A fantastic season for our number 9 which helped Darlington finish in their highest ever league position of 2nd place and also make it to their first ever League Cup Final. Although just missing out on Top Goalscorer to Chloe Ryan that season, it was enough to win her the individual accolade of Manager's Player of the Season.

Last season, Hattie equalled her 24 goals, but this time in one less game of 23, with a further 18 assists. This was enough to win the Top Goalscorer award for the 24/25 season and she also won the Players Player of the season award. She’s already off the mark this season, with two goals and 7 assists in 3 games which takes her total goals to 92 and 67 assists. Thats 159 goal involvements in 100 games which is nothing short of incredible!

Manager Shaun Mackenzie had the following to say about Hattie’s 100th appearance:

‘It’s a fantastic achievement to play 100 games for any club, but even more special when it’s your home town club. Hattie is fully deserving of being the first woman to make her 100th appearance for the club. She joined us as a shy 16 year old girl, who didn’t speak much and I’m sure she won’t mind me saying, but didn’t like to run much either. It’s been great to see her not only develop as a player, but also as a person and see her personality shine through in the team. She’s certainly not shy.

‘Her improvement over the last four years has been clear to see and that’s evident from her numbers on the pitch. But her development as a team player has been second to none. She is now the complete forward, scoring goals, providing assists and holding the ball up to bring others into play. And she’s still only 20! She has been integral to how we play football and that’s down to her dedication to want to improve and get better. Even turning up every Sunday through those teenage years when she was ‘out out’ most weekends.’

‘I must also thank Hattie for being loyal over the past 4 years. She has had multiple offers from other clubs to play at a higher level and she has stayed put, always committed to the cause and playing for the badge. She’s Darlo through and through and here’s to another 100 appearances in a Quaker shirt’

Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Hattie on reaching the 100 club