The club is sad to learn about the passing of John Horseman, who supported the club for nearly 70 years.

His son, David, writes: “He probably started supporting Darlo in the 50s when he was at Barnard Castle School.  He was at the Chelsea game in 1958.

“He took me to my first game in around 1977 but we started going regularly when we had the promotion in 1985, and I attended regularly with him ever since. 

“He was still stood with me on the Tin Shed up to a year ago, when he was 84. He'd always stand at the back because he was quite tall, usually wearing his flat cap. He was never keen on the idea of sitting down to watch!!

“Being from Richmond, his favourite player of all time was John Peverell. 

“Spending time with my dad watching Darlo will always be some of my best memories of him. He always would offer me a sweet or a mint or something at half time. They were almost always out of date and stuck impossibly to the wrapper!

“But that's why that banner at Barrow was spot on. Football is for life. Definitely not for business.”

The club would like to pass on its sincere condolences to John’s family.