Smalling Shirt Added
by Scott Thornberry - 1st March 2012
A Manchester United shirt signed by England star Chris Smalling is the latest jersey to go into Darlo’s star-studded auction on Saturday.
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson knows one of the backroom staff at Old Trafford – and asked his pal to pull a few strings.
He received the United shirt this week, worn by Smalling in a Champions League game and signed by the 22-year-old England defender.
“It’s a fantastic piece of memorabilia,” said Bridge-Wilkinson.
“To be fair all the lads have chipped in, just about everyone has got something from someone and we’ve ended up with too many shirts!
“But we’ll probably be able to hold some of them back and hopefully hold some sort of similar event towards the end of the season.”
Bridge-Wilkinson admits it’s been a difficult few months, but is grateful to the “unwavering” Darlo fans.
“They’ve been great, they’ve carried on supporting us and kept singing away at games, it really is appreciated,” he said.
“It has been difficult, off the pitch. On the pitch it hasn’t been great with results and the points deduction, but the lads are really positive and they’re buoyed by the fans.
“Their support has been unwavering. The crowds for the last few home games has been superb and hopefully we’ll get another good crowd on Saturday and we’ll reward them with three points.
“In a funny kind of way, this might end up being a good thing for the club. It seems to have galvanised a lot of people and if the club can move on, and keep some of the fans that have come along in the last few months, then that’d be great.”
Two other additions to the auction is a Chelsea shirt signed by Didier Drogba and an Everton shirt signed by Mikel Arteta.
This is as well as Jamie Chandler’s Wembley match-worn shirt and jerseys from Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Football fans can email pre-auction bids by email to: commercial@darlington-fc.net
Bids without full contact details will not be accepted. All pre-auction bidding will close at 5pm on Friday.
THE AUCTION ITEMS
Jamie Chandler’s Wembley match-worn shirt, signed
Manchester United, signed by Chris Smalling
Chelsea shirt, signed by Didier Drogba
Everton shirt, signed by Mikel Arteta
Everton, signed by Tim Cahill
Bolton, signed by Robbie Blake
Swansea, signed by Danny Graham
England U-21, signed by Sammi Ameobi
Arsenal, signed by the team
Liverpool, signed by the team
Newcastle, signed by the team
Middlesbrough, signed by the team
Sunderland, signed by the team
Southampton shirt, signed by the team
Aston Villa shirt, signed by the team
Leeds United shirt, signed by the team
Signed photo of Sir Bobby Robson and Gazza
Comments
Fibonacci0112358 - 1st March 2012 20:22:33
Wait 'til I tell Elvis!!
charlie - 1st March 2012 20:25:17
Ive spread it across facebook again, including the Man u page
Fatty eats roadkill - 1st March 2012 20:05:09
Bid just gone in on behalf of the brother-in-law before anyone who knows me says owt!