In the latest of our series on members of the Darlington FC Supporters Group, we spoke to Malcolm Cundick.

How long have you supported Darlington?

I adopted Darlington as my team when I moved here in 1979, but with a young family my first visit to Feethams was not until 4 April 1983. Sat in the West Stand I leapt to my feet when Quakers scored the opener only to reallise that I was surrounded by Hartlepool United supporters! We won 2-1- but I escaped unscathed!

Who have been your favourite players over the years?

I was a centre half in my playing days and we have had a number of characters playing that role over the years - some cultured and others not so. I also enjoyed the skills of the number of tricky ball players that graced our team sheets such as Neil Wainwright and Micky Cummins, but my real heroes are the number of excellent keepers we have had with Sam Russell and Andy Collett at the top of the list and many other young keepers who have moved on to Premiership status. Other memorable players for me have been Matty Appleby, Mark Barnard, Jason de Vos, Sean Gregan,Steve Gaughan, Liam Hatch, Mike Ingham, Adam Reid, Steve Mardenborough ,Curtis Main and of course Marco Gabbiadini!!

What have been your most memorable moments as a Darlo fan?

My most satisfying moments have been each of the promotion achieving matches over recent seasons particularly that special night at Whitby Town, closely followed by the FA Trophy success at Wembley.

What are your favourite away grounds?

My favourite away ground would be Ashton Gate where I was taken to see my first League football match as an eleventh birthday treat, Bristol City being my for ever heroes. When will Darlo ever meet them again I wonder? I live in hope.

Which moments would you most like to forget?

The game I would wish most to forget is the 1996 Division 3 Play Off Final when arguments between Darlo and Plymouth over kit choice resulted in outfits that were so similar as to be indistinquishable, particularly from the dizzy heights of the old Wembley Stadium.We also lost 0-1.

What do you miss most about the Football League days?

I still miss the intimate atmosphere of Feethams, and only hope that we can make appropriate investments in Blackwell Meadows or a future home that can replicate that relationship between supporters and team.

Why did you join the DFCSG?

I volunteered my services as a Chartered Architect to the Club Directors in December 2012 to aid their mission to bring the Quakers home to Darlington. It has been a significant challenge as the Blackwell Meadows Project Manager, overcoming a series of substantial hurdles and compromise solutions. I offered to join the DFCSG Board as a vehicle for a more close working relationship with the respective boards in future developments, and am currently co-ordinating plans for enhancement of facilities to match potential further promotion requirements and match day experience for spectators.

Where do you see the club in 5/10 years’ time?

I believe that it is vital that we establish a firm foundation, initially based on our current fan-owned status, to enable us to invest and grow back into our full League status which is feasible within the next 5-10 years under strong team leadership.