Darlington Town F.C.

Darlington Town formerly known as Horden Colliery Welfare Association Football Club, Horden Athletic[1] and recently known as the Reserve team for Darlington F.C. is a football club based in Darlington, in County Durham, England. The club was formed in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League in 1935, reaching the second round of the FA Cup in the 1938–39 season.[2] They are currently members of the Wearside League Division One and play at Eastbourne Sports Complex in Darlington

Darlington Town
Full nameDarlington Town
Nickname(s)The Quakers
Founded1908 (As Horden Colliery Welfare)
GroundEastbourne Sports Complex, Darlington
LeagueWearside League Division One
2019–20Wearside League Division One (season abandoned)

History

From 1975 until 2013, they were members of the Northern League, but were relegated to the Wearside league at the end of the 2012–13 season. Horden finished second in the Northern League Division One in 1980 and 1983 and in 1984 beat Blyth Spartans in the League Cup final under former Middlesbrough coach John Coddington.

There is a great FA cup tradition at Welfare Park, a run to the second round in 1938–1939 when they lost 3–2 at home to Newport County, and five more first round appearances. All brought narrow defeats against Southport F.C. (1948, 1–2), Accrington Stanley (1952, 1–2), Wrexham F.C. (1953, 0–1), Scunthorpe United (1954, 0–1) and Blackpool F.C. (1981, 0–1). In 1985 Horden CW faced the biggest challenge of their history when the club was relegated and around the same time Horden Colliery closed. The impact of the pit closure on the community and the loss of the club's main sponsor meant that Horden CW found life a struggle, but in the late 1990s under the management of Peter Todd and later Kevin Taylor things started to look up.

Famous players with Horden connections include Bolton Wanderers striker Bob Taylor, Stan Anderson, the only man to captain each of the North-East's big three. Colin Bell (Manchester City and England), Tommy Garrett (Blackpool), Ritchie Norman (Leicester City) and Mick Fento (York City).

On 21 July 2010, Martin Wilson, a 24-year-old businessman, took over the club. He was believed to be the youngest Chairman in the Football Pyramid. Under the new direction of Wilson, the club aimed to re-brand itself in an attempt to make the club more appealing to younger supporters.

In November 2010 Mr Wilson left the club leaving Norman Stephens with no alternative but to step in and regain his rightful place as Chairman of the club once again. The club have played at Welfare Park ever since they were formed. The ground has one stand, which consists of mainly seating, however below this there is some terracing as well.

In 2016, Horden Parish Council demanded that the club vacate their ground at Horden Welfare Park (where the club has been based since their inception in 1908) for unknown reasons. On 29 January of that year, a court case upheld the council's decision and the club has been ordered to vacate by 25 February 2016 as well as awarding them legal costs.

Darlington 1883 Reserves
See also: Darlington F.C.

In October 2016, it was announced that Horden would move 30 miles to Darlington to become the Reserve Team of National League North Club Darlington 1883.[3] The changed their name to Darlington 1883 Reserves and play on the 4G Surface at Eastbourne Sports Complex in Darlington. Horden Chairman Norman Stephens said 'If the move had not have happened, Horden would have been dead by Xmas'. Norman Stephens and some of the playing staff have been retained by Darlington who took Horden's place in the Wearside League. They played their first game under the new name on 6 October in a 1–0 away defeat to Boldon C.A.[4] and played their first home game against Annfield Plain on 15 October at Eastbourne Sports Complex. The club signed its first international player in January 2018 when Gibraltar under-21 player Richie Parral joined the club.

Honours

Records
  • FA Cup[5]
  • FA Trophy
    • First Round 1970–71, 1972–73, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1984–85
  • FA Vase
    • Second Round 1990–91, 2002–03, 2004–05

Former players

1. Players that have played/managed in the Football League or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
2. Players with full international caps.
3. Players that hold a club record or have captained the club.

References
  1. Riddle, John (19 July 2011). The Life of Brian Honour. ISBN 9781907792649.
  2. British Pathé. "FA Cup 2nd Round – Horden CW vs Newport County". Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  3. Hartlepool Mail. "Horden CW name dies as club becomes Darlington 1883 Reserves". Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  4. Connor Lamb. "Boldon CA v Darlington 1883 Reserves". Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  5. Horden Colliery Welfare at the Football Club History Database

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