A fans forum for all CIC members takes place tomorrow (wed) at 6.30pm, Blackwell Grange

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=932

Scott can you amend the story to just have a quick link to join the CIC as some may wish to in order to attend?

i'm playing cricket sadly. Just wondered if there was anywhere I could send a question to Martin G about sunday morning football.

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

Let me know what the question is and I shall ask him.

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Let's be proud of what we have achieved, Darlington Football Club needs to survive so let's all be in this together because this is your club now and your club needs you.

i can actually make the event now as game cancelled.

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

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It's not just Darlington Football Club, it's OUR Darlington Football Club.

Good, informative night. Well done all. Martin spoke really well and explained a bit more about the youth system we're going to be running. I think he said we had U7,8,9,10,12,14,16 and 18's next season. All but 18's are playing TJFA. Under 18's will play in the Conference Youth League with Gateshead among others (play Wednesday afternoons). The one to watch is Connor Lowes. Think he said we had around 7 of last years Under 16's signed.
On shirt sponsors the EvoStik league have offered us a very decent package should we stay in the northern league, as they've told us its a disgrace what's happened and want to help which to be frank is a superb gesture

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QuakerSam ...Once a Quaker, always a Quaker

Re "the share issue being dead..." can we now vent our spleen about lying toads?

Well, as he doesn't want to talk to anyone about DFC I guess it does leave us to talk amongst ourselves...

Info from tonights Forum: djblogw.wordpress.com

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Bobby Wallace
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Twitter: @djbobw

So overall would people who attended say it was a useful excercise? From reading Djbob's blog there seems to be some positive things come out of it.

Very positive including some interesting comments about 1of our contracted players. Martin G was quite praising of the NL saying it was easily on a par with the evostik. He expected very tough games next year. Patience is needed as the team gels together. Once again Martin came across as a very intelligent determined character. Really enjoyed the meeting and it was good to see 1/2 dissenting individuals at the last meeting much more positive. The board are clearly doing some great work.

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

Is it me, or was there absolutely no negatives in that at all? That must be a first for Darlo lol.
If McReady does sign higher up the leagues from us any fee, and pre-season friendly gate money etc will be a huge (and timely) boost to the club funds. I'm guessing as we are talking about a friendly as part of the deal that the club in question is a league one?
Evo-Stick wanting to sponsor us is a massive coup (if you like) almost like a Conference team being sponsored by the Football League! Not to mention a (possible) swipe at the FA by Evo-Stick for placing us so low, sort of states that Evo-Stick believe we belong with them and the FA are just being anal.
The extra car park is very sensible and could benefit Bish as a whole not just us on match days. Quite cheap too really.
Looks like a very similar deal regarding Bar sales etc that we had with Shildon, so that's good news too.
Now all we need is the FA to be understanding and for the players to gel quickly - I'll certainly be happy with winning 1-0 or drawing 0-0 if we finish top of the league!

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COME ON DARLO!

Surely it's more like a conference team being sponsored by nPower? As Evostik are just the league sponsor.

Good to see the positivity that came out of last night. I'm starting to look forward to next season now, no matter what the outcome of the appeal.

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Boycott greedy clubs!!

Was Dave Hodgson on the panel last night, if so what would his role most likely to be or is he just adding support to the efforts of 1883.Lot of time for Hodgy, would be great if he was involved with the club in some capacity on a permanent basis as we are without doubt moving in the right direction under MG and 1883.No more Houghtons and Singhs, god what a lovely feeling is that.

No he was hoping to hang on for the panel but he had to attend a 'South American teleconference'. i was left with the overriding impression that David is doing what he can do for the cause but clearly he is a busy man.

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

Dennis said that Dave Hodgson had joined the "advisory panel" that is described in the 1883 constitution. Harvey Madden and Peter Barron are also on this. The panel is used for help and advice and also to ratify 1883 board decisions. He described this as "added power to our elbow".

edit - and Jenny Chapman

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Which was...?

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http://twitter.com/Quakerz72

Also which players are contracted and which aren't?

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It's not just Darlington Football Club, it's OUR Darlington Football Club.

I don't think that's the type of info Martin would want broadcasting for obvious reasons...

Why?

Once they're registered it'll be on the NL site anyway.

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http://twitter.com/Quakerz72

Didn't realise that was the case.

Yeah Northern League list contract and possibly even non contracted players on the web. To be honest Martin answered a good few questions, I wouldn't say he gave anything major away.

He seems to think Spenny are signing a lot of players on contracts largely to ensure we don't sign them.

He did say sometimes players work for people who run the club they play for as well and it is hard to sign these players as their employer is not supportive of said player leaving their club but still working for them. This was something he had experienced recently.

John Mcready. Some interest apparently from a decent sized club (??). Gray is in negotiations with them and a friendly could be part of the deal.

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

Given we're looking at a friendly with York and they were rumoured to be interested in him i think we have our answer.

No club was mentioned so that might be speculation although an interesting comment nonetheless

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

Not sure if this has been mentioned but for those who like the match programmes at each game, Denis said we are looking to continue with a 32 page colour programme. Looking at advertising to cover the costs of the programmes no idea on the ins and out of that, but good to hear that the quality should hopefully be the same.

Strong team of writers back for the programme. Ray, Andrew et al who used to produce it before it was taken over by Martin Walker's crew last season. Should also be available at a decent price.

Need to sell 40% of advertising space to break even, everything on top of that is profit

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QuakerSam ...Once a Quaker, always a Quaker

Didn't catch that bit fully, although I did hear the 40%. Wonder how many we would print generally per game, I guess it may depend on how many we sold last season - a percentage of that in accordance with presumed/planned gates.

I do like a good match programme - sad I know.

Plan is to print 400 per game which I've expressed concerns about. We only sold that many when we had crowds of around 2000. I'd think around 200 on a consistent basis with maybe 300 or so for the first game. That said due to the way printing costs work it's only £20 more to get 400 rather than 300 - will that be £20 wasted though? IMO yes.

Not sure where the 40% advertising has come from as we won't be selling programmes at a loss so as long as we order the right amounts we'd break even anyway.