Darlo and me -- Paul Hodgson

By Ray Simpson

Darlo and me -- Paul Hodgson

Profile of a Darlo fan

Paul Hodgson answers a few questions about his life supporting Darlo in today's edition of Darlo and me

Name: Paul Hodgson

Occupation: Retired Civil Servant/Writer

Number of years you’ve supported Darlington: 48

First match seen:  V Southport 72-73

What was the score? 7-0 to Southport

Most memorable home match: V Doncaster 80-81

What was the score? 5-0 to Darlington

Most Memorable away match: Crewe 84-85

What was the score? 2-2 (it was the first time that I’d witnessed us win promotion)

Favourite all time manager(s) Cyril Knowles/Brian Little. Cyril got us promotion with 15-16 players.  I can’t imagine that being done now.

His ethic was hard work and discipline, and it certainly worked.

After he left Darlo, we kept in touch, and when Torquay banned away fans, he was manager there, and he invited me and 3 guests to the match against Darlo as his guests.

I spoke to him a week before he was taken ill, and I was gutted when he passed away.

Brian Little was also a great manager for Darlo.   Achieving what he did after we were relegated to the Conference was an incredible feat.

As with Cyril, I kept in touch with him after he left Darlo.  And more recently, he gave us excellent advice when we were filming ‘Give Them Wings’

Favourite all time players(s): Colin Sinlair, Kevan Smith, Alan Walsh,  Mark Forster, Craig Liddle, Neil Wainwright, Paul Ward, David Speedie, Michael Smith and Dale Anderson.

Favourite current player(s) Louis Laing/Jarrett Rivers

Favourite Darlington ground: Feethams

What are your hopes for this season? To reach the play-offs