Darlington 1883 - The Quakers Return

As described earlier, me and ScottT have decided to both take a team from the second tier of non-league and bring them into the big time. We have both gone for fairly big sides within the non-league scene, both backed by good support and both who have had a troublesome pass.

I have not managed in the Vanarama North since 2011, when at the time I was AFC Telford United manager and I lost the play off final on penalties. Hopefully, the second time around with a bigger budget, less expectations and a bigger backed team I will compete in what is a strong financial league with the likes of Salford, AFC Fylde, Stockport, Tamworth & Kidderminster being just a select few of teams aiming for promotion.

Darlo 1883 - A brief history

Darlington FC were a stable football league side who never really looked in danger of dropping into the non league pyramid, plying their trade in league 2 from 1990/91 until 2009/10. However, after moving into a 25,000 all seater stadium in 2003. With only an allowed capacity of 10,000.


With dodgy owners, and financial issues spiralling out of control and their former chairman putting Darlo into administration for the second time they were relegated to the national league but in their first season narrowly missed out on the play-offs and were crowned FA Trophy champions.

The season after, was one to forget, deducted points and they finished the season 22nd out of a possible 24. Eventually that season the club was bought out of a period of administration without entering into a CVA. They reformed as Darlington 1883 and plied their trade in the Northern League Division One (Tier 9)... Having been promoted three times in five seasons the Quakers find themselves back on the map again and are only two promotions away from the football league. My aim, obviously is to get this big club back into the football league and beyond - with hopefully a Wembley visit with the FA trophy and have a good cup run.

Until my next post. peace.

Great start mate!