Remember Robbie Painter's goal at Leeds?

By Ray Simpson

Remember Robbie Painter's goal at Leeds?

Remember that goal by Robbie Painter at Elland Road, when he picked up the pass from Gary Twynham, s...

Remember that goal by Robbie Painter at Elland Road, when he picked up the pass from Gary Twynham, sidestepped Leeds keeper Nigel Martyn and slotted the ball into the net in front of all the ecstatic Darlo fans?

You’ll have the chance to relive that goal on Sunday because Robbie is coming to our book launch and player reunion in the Dolphin Centre beginning at 2pm.

[caption id="attachment_14434" align="alignnone" width="218"]Robbie Painter Robbie Painter[/caption]

Can you remember that looping header by Gary Coatsworth on that never-to-be-forgotten day at Welling in 1990?

Gary will be there to chat about it on Sunday.

[caption id="attachment_14435" align="alignnone" width="212"]Gary Coatsworth Gary Coatsworth[/caption]

Were you at Feethams when Les McJannet scored with that cheeky backheel goal against Halifax in the FA Cup in 1989?

Les will be there on Sunday to give you an action replay.

[caption id="attachment_14436" align="alignnone" width="300"]Les McJannet Les McJannet[/caption]

Were you at Boro that night in 1998 when Mark Barnard capped one of the greatest comebacks in the club’s history by beating Burnley in the FA Cup?

Mark will be there to recall it.

[caption id="attachment_14437" align="alignnone" width="275"]Mark Barnard Mark Barnard[/caption]

 

Sunday is the day when we’ll roll back the years, from 1966 to 2015, and hopefully around 60 former and current Darlo players and officials will be there to help us celebrate.

Dig out your old shirts, hats and scarves and bring them along, Remember to bring your camera, a pen, and some money to help raise funds for the club. Quaker Retail will be there, selling not only the latest book “Darlo’s on the Up” but also the last book “In the Dying Seconds”. Sam Russell, who was in goal for us at Wembley, will be there to sign it, along with Jamie Chandler.

[caption id="attachment_14438" align="alignnone" width="300"]Sam Russell and Jamie Chandler Sam Russell and Jamie Chandler[/caption]

 

Darlo’s on the Up (by Ray Simpson) is a 256 page account of Darlington’s six successful campaigns, and contains around 150 photos. There are contemporary quotes from Lol Morgan, Cyril Knowles, Brian Little and Martin Gray, plus memories from players such as John Peverell, Carl Airey and Kevan Smith. And there are loads of supporter memories as well, including some from that 1965-66 season, the first promotion at that time for 41 years. The price of the book is £12.

Admission to the event is free. It all starts in the Dolphin Centre at 2pm. Our guests – who will be wearing name badges because some of them have changed quite a bit – will be introduced one by one to the audience.

front cover 2

 

Here’s the list of players and officials (in no particular order) who have indicated that they will be attending on Sunday. There could be more, as we don’t have contact numbers for many former players, and more could turn up on the day after reading our website or the Northern Echo, or by word of mouth.

If you’re a former player who hasn't been contacted, then you will be most welcome. Turn up at the Dolphin Centre by 1.45, go upstairs, through the coffee bar, and ask to be directed to the VIP suite.

 

Gary Brown

Jamie Chandler

Neil Wainwright

Craig Liddle

Steve Gaughan

Mark Barnard

Gary Pearson

Mark Forster

Kevin Stonehouse

Gary Coatsworth

Kevan Smith

Jim Platt

Lee Tucker

Sean Gregan

Gary Gill

Sam Russell

Mitch Cook

Les McJannet

Amar Purewal

Alan White

Stephen Thompson

Neil Maddison

David Hodgson

Craig Gott

Simon Shaw

Mick Tait

Drew Coverdale

Danny Mellanby

Brian Atkinson

Martin Gray

Kevin Burgess

Andy Collett

Eddie Kyle

John Hope

John Peverell

Craig Hignett

Glenn Naylor

Steve Tutill

Gary Bennett

Chris Hughes

Paul Campbell

Lee Nogan

Neil Aspin

Mark Bell

Clive Nattress

Phil Brumwell

Joe Tait

Micky Trotter

Matthew Coddington

Steve Holbrook

Marco Gabbiadini

Robbie Painter

Mark Prudhoe

Leon Scott