Legendary Point-Taking Aston Villa v Newcastle United Post Match Thread

[Chris Jameson]

Darlington back in the day featured a stroll through the local cricket clubs ground to get to the football ground. Don't know if it's still the same.

I loved Feethams, sadly the ground is derelict now but think the cricket ground is still there. One of the funniest things I saw was when Sheffield Wednesday played at Feethams in an FA Cup replay and they brought a massive following so were also given half of the Tin Shed (kop end), I was stood with my dad down the side and the Darlo supporters were singing "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough". We could see the Wednesday support thinning out as a load of them simply walked round the back and charged into the startled Darlo support.

Even made the national news as the match was delayed, Darlo won 1-0 with a 30 yarder into the top corner which resulted in yet another pitch invasion. The strangest thing about the night was seeing the half time score from Villa Park, the board said 5-1 but I assumed it was a mistake.

[Dave Cooper please]

Darlington back in the day featured a stroll through the local cricket clubs ground to get to the football ground. Don't know if it's still the same.

Most of Feethams has gone now but they still use the back of one of the stands as a sight screen for the cricket.

For picturesque football grounds you'd be hard pushed to beat Fort Williams Claggan Park, it sits at the foot of Ben Nevis.

[Darlo Dave]

Yeah, Darlington moved to a stupidly big 25k seater stadium on the edge of town, that contributed to end of the club (in it's original incarnation). The club was relegated 7 leagues, and as such had to ground share with Bishop Auckland. The club is now well on the up again, after getting 3 promotions in 4 seasons, and talk is they're moving back to Darlington (again on the edge of town, but in a much nicer location) at some point next season. As others have said, Feethams is now gone (apart from the cricket club), and the likelyhood is, the land will be used for building new houses. 

[Chico Hamilton III]

Yeah, Darlington moved to a stupidly big 25k seater stadium on the edge of town, that contributed to end of the club (in it's original incarnation). The club was relegated 7 leagues, and as such had to ground share with Bishop Auckland. The club is now well on the up again, after getting 3 promotions in 4 seasons, and talk is they're moving back to Darlington (again on the edge of town, but in a much nicer location) at some point next season. As others have said, Feethams is now gone (apart from the cricket club), and the likelyhood is, the land will be used for building new houses. 

Didn't they used to have that mad fella in charge? Reynolds was it? convicted safe cracker. Or have I got the wrong club

[Darlo Dave]

Yeah, Darlington moved to a stupidly big 25k seater stadium on the edge of town, that contributed to end of the club (in it's original incarnation). The club was relegated 7 leagues, and as such had to ground share with Bishop Auckland. The club is now well on the up again, after getting 3 promotions in 4 seasons, and talk is they're moving back to Darlington (again on the edge of town, but in a much nicer location) at some point next season. As others have said, Feethams is now gone (apart from the cricket club), and the likelyhood is, the land will be used for building new houses. 

Didn't they used to have that mad fella in charge? Reynolds was it? convicted safe cracker. Or have I got the wrong club

That's the one, George Reynolds. Very dodgy character, who went to jail for breaking in to safes. He ended up setting up a kitchen business, and made a fortune, before buying Darlington. He came with ambitions of taking Darlington the Premier League (you may recall a farcical attempt to sign Tino Asprilla), and left them in administration. Ended up being found guilty of tax evasion.

[dave shelley]

Isn't it Reynolds that has a pathological hatred of one of our previous managers?  John Gregory I think, or am I yapping up the wrong Redwood?

[pooligan]

I have only been to Brunton Park Carisle once,back in the 70s but i remember being able to see either sheep or cattle grazing in a field behind the goal during stoppages in play.I have no idea if it is still the same,but it is the most scenic ground i can recall visiting

[dcdavecollett]

DS, I think it was the Darlo boss at the time who clearly disliked JG.

Ex-'pool player, can't remember his name, though.

[dave shelley]

DS, I think it was the Darlo boss at the time who clearly disliked JG.

Ex-'pool player, can't remember his name, though.

Thanks dcd.  I can't remember who it was either.  I know there was a lot of bad feeling between them for whatever reason.

[PeterWithesShin]

David Hodgson? Didn't JG piss him off with comments after the FAC game?

[dcdavecollett]

Ta, PWS, that's the guy.

I got the impression they didn't get on before the match, either.

[dave.woodhall]

I have only been to Brunton Park Carisle once,back in the 70s but i remember being able to see either sheep or cattle grazing in a field behind the goal during stoppages in play.I have no idea if it is still the same,but it is the most scenic ground i can recall visiting

"Freezing cold with sheep shit in your back garden." Stan Bowles on Carlisle.

[nigel]

Was talking to my mate and his son yesterday.
They were playing golf at Hilltop course, by the baggies ground, the Saturday we played Newcastle.
They stopped play for a short while as they could hear a distant noise. They realised that it was coming from Villa Park 'Villa 'till i die' and 'You're coming down with the Villa' were clearly heard.
Pretty impressive!