CRYSTAL PALACE FC and A NEW DAWN FOR DARWEN

 I came across this video on You Tube today and thought it deserved some public support....it most certainly gets more views than my blog but hey-ho, somebody out there might just be logging into me and will enjoy this piece of History; so do stick with it, it leads you through the history of Crystal Palace FC. If you love the game, at any level, have a go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7in00aPT_QA

AND to help you avoid watching cricket or doing the washing up, The NON-LEAGUE PAPER this weekend, has featured Darwen FC, a Lancashire club with considerable football pedigree. 

The revitalised AFC Darwen was formed in 2009 following the "winding up" of the original club Darwen FC, some years ago. The new club intends to adopt the historic name, for the start of a new era.

Where is Darwen? you southerners might ask.....well, it's in Lancashire and the club was founded in 1870, in the midst of the flourishing textile industries in the North-west. The club went on to reach the FA Cup semi-final in 1880-1, the season that the Old Carthusians (old boys of Charterhouse School, London) won the FA Cup. Following this run of success,  Darwen played in the Football League from 1891-99. There has been a successful Netflix series a couple of years ago, called "The English Game" where their history was followed, showing the game as it was played in the early stages of the Association. They caused controversy in this competition by signing two professional players, Fergie Suter and Jimmy Love, both from Partick FC, the Scottish club based in Glasgow. This is believed to be the first involvement of professional players in English football. 

In 1891, Darwen was elected to the Football League as it was expanded to 14 teams. League rules meant that teams couldn't have the same coloured kits and so since Notts County had already taken black and white stripes, Darwen adopted a salmon pink top from which their nickname 'The Salmoners' originates.

"The Salmoners", today, are eager to add to their illustrious history and their "Chair", Sarah Hindle, is keen to revitalise their history and energise the present, by offering the new club and clubhouse at the Anchor Ground, to the community, bringing more interest from the town and surroundings. Blackburn Rovers Ladies also play here.

There are 26 teams playing under the Darwen name. In last season's North-West Counties Division One North, the first team, The Salmoners ended 17th, so a climb back to the Football League may be a way away, but promotion is the club's aim.