Can it be true? He's back? Get in!

From Ask 1883 - part of the answer from Craig regarding the totaliser:

"David Hodgson has today pledged his support to Martin Gray, 1883 and the CIC and he has contributed to a press release today which carries some great messages" " .

Can't wait for the press release!

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COME ON DARLO!

Sounds to me like he's contributed some cash?

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Calm down people! The press release is nothing more than him backing DFC1883.

Calm down? How? It's Hodgy!!!! lol

I was thinking this may be the beginning of his rumoured Director of Football type role, or maybe he would cast his eye on a few scouted players perhaps - or even put some hard cash in the fund.

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COME ON DARLO!

I'm afraid not... Taking a few of the quotes from the press release he says...

David Hodgson, ex-Darlington manager spoke out today on his feelings for the current plight of the club. "Darlington Football Club has been on a knife edge for years and its finally toppled over, it cant go any further down and the only way it can come back is if the fans make it happen. This club is like the Titanic and its hit the sand at the bottom of the ocean, I know that Martin Gray can bring it back but not without the fans financial backing.The fans have rightly been critical in the past of individuals who have owned this club and not done the right things by them, now they have the chance to fix all that hurt and revive THEIR Darlington FC. If the fans back their club, there is a future!"

Quakers icon David Hodgson continued "Everyone knows how much I love this football club and the town and I have been as disappointed as anyone to see the recent events unfold, I never thought I would see the day where Darlington FC would be in the Northern League and playing the games out of town. However, we now need to to focus on the future and get on board with the CIC and start the process for the club to get back up the leagues and back in Darlington. The more money invested by fans and quickly, the better team Martin can put onto the pitch and the sooner the plans to be playing back in Darlington can start."

Cheers Hilly,

Where is this press release? Didn't see it in the Echo (on line), will it be in there later?

We live in hope though lol

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COME ON DARLO!

Full text of the press release:

HODGSON APPEALS TO DARLO FANS "BACK YOUR CLUB, THERE IS A FUTURE"

David Hodgson, ex-Darlington manager spoke out today on his feelings for the current plight of the club. "Darlington Football Club has been on a knife edge for years and its finally toppled over, it cant go any further down and the only way it can come back is if the fans make it happen. This club is like the Titanic and its hit the sand at the bottom of the ocean, I know that Martin Gray can bring it back but not without the fans financial backing.The fans have rightly been critical in the past of individuals who have owned this club and not done the right things by them, now they have the chance to fix all that hurt and revive THEIR Darlington FC. If the fans back their club, there is a future!"

Darlington FC 1883 Ltd have today began an appeal for the missing fans who had pledged to invest in the club to come forward again and back their football club.
The club entered into administration back in January and well over 1000 fans stepped forward, offered their own money to try and help save the club they all love so much.
Due to a significant change in circumstances that money had to be refunded but 1883 were confident that the vast majority would be re-invested in the new CIC model they had launched.

The CIC (community interest company) will provide the funds necessary for the football club to succeed both on and off the pitch. It has two immediate objectives; to put together a team capable of gaining promotion next season and for the club to playing in Darlington again as soon as possible. More info on the CIC and how to get involved can be found at www.1883cic.org.

New additions to the benefits for members of the CIC are exclusive events and forums involving the players and management, discounts on club merchandise, regular newsletters and priority booking for tickets.

Chairman Denis Pinnegar said "When we saw how many fans had taken the time and effort to back their club with hard cash it was inspiring, but we need them to ask them to do the same again. This is now the fans club and they need to help finance it, we are really hoping that we can get 1000 CIC members before the end of June. The CIC will be great for Darlington FC in many ways and the structure gives members a genuine voice in the running of their football club."

Team manager Martin Gray added "My main objective is to get Darlington FC back up the leagues, it will be a tremendous journey and I am looking forward to sharing it with the fans by our side, not only as fans but also as owners of this football club. It will be exciting to host the events with the players, the fans forums and to have a working relationship with the fans. I like what the CIC stands for and it can only be a good thing for the future of this football club."

Quakers icon David Hodgson continued "Everyone knows how much I love this football club and the town and I have been as disappointed as anyone to see the recent events unfold, I never thought I would see the day where Darlington FC would be in the Northern League and playing the games out of town. However, we now need to to focus on the future and get on board with the CIC and start the process for the club to get back up the leagues and back in Darlington. The more money invested by fans and quickly, the better team Martin can put onto the pitch and the sooner the plans to be playing back in Darlington can start."

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If I were a stick of rock, no prizes for what would be written all the way through .....

Great to have Hodgy getting involved in some way, even if it is just words to back the project. I'd love him to have a formal role.

Did anyone else read those quotes to themselves in Hodgy's voice?

I really don't get this obsession with Hodgy....good bloke and manager but bloody hell, he's no messiah!!!!! If he backs us great, if not...no loss!

Love that man,

Tactically not the best manager by a long way, but talk about leadership and man- managment, love it.

I tend to agree, but if it gets people on side then I'm all for it.

All hail Hodgy.

There are few people in the recent history of DFC that fans of the club can identify with and trust.

David Hodgson is one of those few people which is why some fans seem a bit "obsessed" with him.

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Robbie Painter - http://twitter.com/RobbiePainter

End of the day, most Darlo fans are obsessed with Hodgy.

It can only be a good thing if he's back on the scene as people will respond to him.

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http://twitter.com/Quakerz72

So its basically a PR stunt by 1883? Not that I'm criticising it. Would be good if he had some sort of role at the club.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

... we need more "PR stunts" .... a lot more. Also, I hope that Hodgy will realise how important a more active roll, in the club he loves, could be. We still need something or someone to ignite this whole new era in my eyes.

In all the hard times that started back with our first flirtation with liqudation (80's wasn't it) we've hard only small doses of success and a LOT of misery.

Hodgy has been involved in about 90% of these success stories and its only natural the fans react to him, his presence always seems to be a positive thing for Darlington, although the endings haven't gone so well.

Would it work out ok with Hodgy on the board, he has been involved in the game for long, I dont know, have him as a figurehead/ambassador for the club, give hin a job similar to what Niall Quinn did at Sunderland...

Or even have him working closely with Martin Gray, not picking the team or anything, but as an advisor or mentor(if you want to call it that), Hodgy has been in the game for a long time and is in a good position to help Martin Gray if it was needed

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If it looks like a turd,
Smells like a turd,
Your probably in Hartlepool

1883
4 Numbers
1 Year
1 Club
1 Darlington F.C.

Love to see Hodgy back in some capacity