5th January 1985 - Darlington at home in the FAC

[erimus74]

For a 3rd round cup tie, a crowd of 19,084 at the game, to see struggling Boro against former Boro favourite Cyril Knowles then managing Darlington, a team who were on the up, strangely enough, they could have been the favourites for this cup tie back then, sounds crazy I know, crazy to think so

Things were not going as the late, great Willie Maddren was hoping, the whole club was struggling, yhr team were struggling, one step forward, two steps backwards, results continued to be poor

In 1984 we had won 6 games, 2 at home & now face an inform team on the up, with it been a derby game all the more for our visitors to be busting at the leash to get out at Ayresome Park, fight tooth & nail for a place in the FAC 4th round

Darligtons 1st visit back at Ayresome Park since Boro stuffed em 4-0 back on 27th December 1967, but things are a lot different now

We huffed & puffed, the game seemed to be end to end, there wasn't a big difference between both teams, Darlington were matching Boro all over the pitch

Chicken run for me & our dad that Saturday afternoon

The match finished goalless, have Darlington had their best chance to inflict a rare victory over the mighty Boro!

Willie Maddrens team

Kelham O'Hanlon
Irving Nattrass - Captain
Gary Hamilton
Mick Buckley
Mick Saxby
Paul Ward - Future Darlington's youngest manager
Tony Mowbray
David Mills
Heine Otto
Dave Currie - Future Darlo striker
Tony McAndrew

[John Trebor]

The replay was carnage.