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DARLINGTON - BOTTOM FEEDERS 13-8-08
I noticed that the message boards were busy after a colleague of mine in the local media world had intimated that Darlo should become a feeder club for the Boro.
This upset Darlo fans and quite rightly so. Whilst it can be beneficial to all concerned to have players move out on loan, each club must continue to have its own identity.
The major concern is that the Premier League clubs with all the money are producing some excellent prospects who then, due to foreign imports, don't even a get a game.
The likes of Jason Kennedy and Gary Liddle have taken the action of moving down the divisions to get regular football and become part of their team's future, rather than a month here and a month there.
Perhaps more should follow, but not just for a short term loan.
When looking at the trialists in action for the Boro friendly and comparing them to Gareth's youngsters, I know which players I would rather see at the club.
The short term loan deals that have been a necessary evil are brought about by one reason and one reason only - finance.
It is obvious from the comments that Dave Penney made in the pre-match interviews before the Exeter game that he is frustrated by the smaller squad he has this season. The squad is smaller due to Darlington having a smaller budget.
I am sure Dave would rather have a settled squad that can work with each other over the season than continuously have to bring players in to cover injuries and suspensions. Quite often, these players are no sooner settled then they are back off to their own clubs.
I think that the smaller budget is understood by the majority of fans who can appreciate that the club needs to try and balance the books.
I spent half an hour before the Boro game with club chairman George Houghton. He still has the ambition to move the club forward but is getting more and more frustrated with the lack of interest in the town.
He is pouring his own hard earned cash into the club and is losing money. That is a situation that none of us would do if there was no realistic potential of future gain.
The bottom line is that people like GH are successful businessmen and they didn't become successful by giving money away.
That leads nicely on to the next subject that is grabbing the message boards this week.
900 home fans down on the opening day of last season is amazing. There are a million and one excuses for not going. No make that two million and one.
It's not only at Darlo. The crowd at Pools on Saturday was also pathetic.
The club has recently appointed yet another commercial manager. I sincerely hope that Christine can succeed where others have failed, getting out there and making the club a more attractive proposition for people to come to.
To start off, the club shop not being open for the sale of new home shirts after the game on Saturday was another own goal and a loss of much needed revenue.
Please remember that if you missed the show you can catch up with the podcast by clicking here.
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Scott has asked you to send in any questions you want to pose to me. Here are my responses to the first ones:
Hi Jeff
I went to every one but one of the pre-season friendlies and was also there for the Exeter game. In my opinion, the players did well, gave a good performance and were inches away from two more points.
The two wingers, Poole and Griffin, looked excellent and the new keeper Brown made a few stunning saves. Pity there was only just under 3000 Darlo fans there to see the game.
Proudlock hasn't really shown anything so far. I was a bit disappointed today but I'm off to Notts County next Saturday to cheer on the lads again.
I can't believe people were leaving before the end and complaining every five minutes, it does my head in.
Also, I just wanted to say well done to all the Exeter fans who made the journey. There was over 600 of them and they made a lot of noise.
Sam
Darlo Fan
Jeff's reply
The first half performance certainly showed promise. With a bit of luck, Kennedy's shot could have gone in and the game would have been over by half time.
The two young wingers have pace, hunger and also track back and get stuck in. They are both a bit on the small side though and perhaps the bigger defenders in this League may bully them out of games.
The subject of the attendance will run and run and possibly will not be solved. On the pitch, the players can only play well and get results. Off the pitch, the club needs to have a massive look at itself and get out into the community and sell itself.
Proudlock is not fully fit at the moment but as a direct replacement for Tommy Wright, he certainly needs to up his game and get stuck in and challenge more than he is doing at present. A few goals would not go amiss either.
Fans leaving before the end always intrigues me. It's understandable perhaps if you are 4-0 down but at 1-1, anything can happen. You would not leave the cinema before the end of a film. I can tell you from experience that the Arena is far easier to get away from by car than most grounds I visit.
Finally Exeter's support was excellent and it certainly lifted their side. This was a point that Steve Foster had made on my show earlier that day.
Best Wishes
Jeff
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Hi Jeff
Now that the Tommy Wright saga is over, do you think
a) he is a loss to the team and
b} if he is, can he be adequately replaced given that everyone is looking for a quality striker?
I believe a top six finish is possible and hope for better.
More fans are needed so come on you Darlington people, get behind your club, turn up at the Arena and roar the team on!! Be that extra man for the team and we could be in with a shout come May 2009!!
Arthur
Jeff's reply
Yes I do think Tommy will be sadly missed. I understand that he did not want to leave the club, however a bid was received and he was allowed to leave. Now Mr. Blatter, that is football slavery.
Tommy used to pick up needless bookings but that was his game - 100% effort. The fans loved that and it helped lift them. He scored good goals and was an excellent target man.
I think that Proudlock is the man who has been bought to replace him. He has a lot to live up to and only time will tell.
I think a top six finish is possible but Pav's return, whilst long overdue, is vital to that. The club now has pace but a cutting edge is the difference between promotion or another season in the basement.
Thanks for your impassioned plea to the townsfolk. I just hope that a few are listening.
Jeff
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Dear Jeff
I'm a very long time supporter of Darlo. My first game at Feethams was against QPR, who had just won the League Cup in 1967.
I get to the Arena three, four or five times a season. I also go as often as I can to the away games in the south of the country.
Last season we had far to many loan signings for a month. At the end of the day, these players were no better than Neil Wainwright, who was hardly given a chance after being the Player's Player of the Year the season before.
When he was given a game, he ran his socks off for the cause, covering every blade of grass. The problem was that he wasn't one of Dave Penny's signings, so however well he played, he was invariably dropped for one of the loan signings.
Neil Wainwright was one of the best and most honest players the club has had over recent years and I am sorry he has gone. But then he wasn't the manager's man.
Chris Adlem
Darlo Supporter
Wincanton Somerset
Jeff's reply
Hi Chris
I too was a big fan of Wainy. He lifted the fans and also the team. The manager though obviously did not fancy him as player. That was nothing to do with the fact that he did not sign him though.
Whilst any manager does not get everything right, I think DP's overall record speaks for itself. Of the nineteen players he got rid of in his first season at the club, I believe only two are now playing league football.
Let's hope that Wainy does not return to haunt us this season. One thing is for sure - he will get a tremendous reception.
Best wishes
Jeff
On to the shows, I am looking for regular contributions from the supporters, so go on give me a call.
On Saturday lunchtime, we will hear from the managers before the day's big games.
I am also hoping to have fans who don't go to the games any more on the Phone-In Show to find out why.
I will have tickets to give away for the Darlo v Gillingham and Pools v Stockport matches on the 23rd of August. There will also be a chance to win meals at the Arena's excellent Sunday carvery and also at Jo Rigatonis.
The questions will be:
For DARLO fans:
Which county is Gillingham in?
For POOLIES:
Who did Stockport beat in the play-off final at Wembley?
For Jeff's Meat And Two Veg to win a Carvery at the Darlington Arena:
Which referee was sensationally dropped as match official for the Community Shield?
a) Pete Walton
b) Mark Clattenburg
c) Uriah Rennie
Also on The Jeff Winter Football Phone-In, for your chance to win a main course meal for two at a Jo Rigatonis of your choice, tune in from 6-7 every Saturday on Alpha 103.2 and work out the music link to a footballing matter.
To enter either:
1) Ring 01325 25 55 55 during the show
2) Text 81800 and type "goal", leave a space then give your answer and name
3) Email Jeff at Alpha Radio.
Keep up to date with all of my columns on my website.
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