In the latest of our series on Darlo FC investors, Neil Chandler from New Zealand swopped e mails with Ray Simpson.

Do you want to invest £100 in the club and get your money back? Here's how: http://darlingtonfc.co.uk/community-share-investments-reach-60000/

How long have you been supporting Darlo?

My love of football started early, playing in the village with mates all day in all weather. I was a Manchester United fan in the 70s and got the 76 white away kit for Christmas - the days of Gordon Hill, Steve Coppell, Stuart Pearson, et al. which I was very proud of. I started going to Feethams in the early 80s and changed my allegiance to The Mighty Darlo. Playing Saturday local league limited the chances to get to Darlo but a group of mates would go if we weren't playing. Ending up in Hitchin meant 'home' games were at places like Luton, Oxford and Barnet.

Where do you live now, how often do you see them play?

I emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand eight years ago with my wife and boys and live in a suburb call Mellons Bay. Originally from Hudswell, a small village two miles from Richmond, I attended Darlo Tech for two years doing computer studies in the early 80s and then computer science at Middlesbrough Poly as it was then. Work opportunities took me to Johannesburg for five years and subsequently Auckland for one year before returning to the UK and settling in Hitchin. After 10 years it was back to Auckland and we have been there since. Anyway last live game I saw was in 5-0 win against Consett at Heritage Park - we were back in the UK on holiday for my Mum's 80th birthday. I am an avid listener to Andrew, Michael and Stuart on Darlo Fans Radio (midweek games as they are between 6:30am-8:30am depending on the daylight saving) and Kevin's highlights on youtube. Twitter is also great. The first thing I do when I wake up on Sunday morning is check the scores.

What do your workmates/friends think of you supporting Darlo?

I have a couple of English work mates, one Boro and one West Brom fan so we will often chat about their respective fortunes. Everyone else at work is who is in to football follows the Premiership so they have never heard of Darlington! I also coach junior and youth soccer and a lot of the coaches are ex-pats so there is some healthy banter there.

Why have you decided to invest in the club?

I can't imagine we will be returning to the UK any time soon but I will always be a loyal fan and always want to see Darlo doing well. The club has many great memories for me - two (unsuccessful) Wembley trips, watching the silky skills of Pedro Paulo and the class and commitment of Marco Gabbiadini, getting my (and my boys Luke and Jaden) name on the 2008 special shirt, the emotion of the last game at Feethams, the privilege of playing in Craig Liddle's testimonial game at the Arena, etc. I was one of the founder members of the CIC and would like to continue to support the club and ensure it is there for many more memories for all and to give back a little as I don't contribute a lot to gate receipts!

What does it mean to you personally to move back to the town?

A return to Darlington will be great for the longevity of the club and will provide an extra boost for the push back up the football pyramid. I hope it will increase the financial stability of the club and make local football more accessible to local fans. It will bring back the sense of identity with the town and I think that is really important.