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Darlington FC was founded in 1883, after representatives of local amateur clubs met and decided to form a senior club to represent the town.

Two years later they entered the FA Cup for the first time and, in 1889, became founder members of the Northern league, which they won in 1896 and 1900.

The club turned professional in 1908 and joined the North Eastern League, winning that championship in 1913.

Election to the Football League

In 1921, the club were elected to the new Football League Third Division (North). They won the Third Division (North) title, and promotion to Division Two in 1925.

In 1927, they were relegated back to Division Three, and remained at that level until 1958 when the regional divisions were scrapped and they were placed in the Fourth Division.

1966 brought promotion as runners-up, but the following season they finished bottom of the table and went straight back down.

Applying for Re-election

The club had to apply for re-election no fewer than five times during the Seventies and can be considered lucky to have retained their League status.

Saved by the Supporters

Financial problems surfaced in the Eighties and at one stage it was only the efforts of supporters that saved the club from closure.

There was, however, better news on the pitch where promotion was secured in 1985.

Relegation to the Conference

In 1989 the "Quakers" finished bottom of the League and were relegated to the Conference.

The following season they won the Conference title and they followed that up by winning the Fourth Division championship.

Again they lasted only one season in the Third Division before being relegated back to Division Four.

A New Stadium

The club moved to the new 25 000 all-seater Darlington Arena in 2003.

Into (and out of) Administration

However, the cost of the stadium drove the club into administration, and chairman George Reynolds was forced to relinquish control to the club’s main creditors, the Sterling Consortium.

The club came out of administration in September 2004.

In 2008, "Darlo" qualified for the promotion play-offs but lost out on penalties to Rochdale.

Back in the Conference

2009/2010 was to prove a disastrous season for the club as they finished a distant bottom and were relegated back to the Conference.

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