By Martin Walker
A number of high-profile football shirts from around the country have been sent to Darlington players for their fundraising auction this weekend.
The Quakers troops have organised a Race Night, to be held after Saturday’s game at home to Stockport County at the Northern Echo Arena.
They’ve done it to show they’re doing their bit to raise money for the proposed community club, as a thank you to fans for their magnificent support.
And after several calls to contacts all over the country from the football family, signed shirts from the Premier League and Championship have come flooding in for their auction.
Click here to see a Video Interview with Paul Arnison
Ex-skipper Jamie Chandler has handed over his Wembley match-worn signed shirt, while there’s also an Arsenal shirt signed by the Gunners first team, a Liverpool signed shirt and signed jerseys from Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
There’s also a Swansea shirt signed by former Quakers loanee Danny Graham, a Bolton shirt signed by ex-Darlo striker Robbie Blake, a Manchester United shirt signed by Chris Smalling, an Everton shirt signed by Tim Cahill and an England U-21 shirt signed by Newcastle forward Sammi Ameobi.
There’s a signed picture of Sir Bobby Robson and Gazza up for grabs!
Now players are inviting fans to email bids in a pre-event online auction on the club’s official website, www.darlington-fc.net
Paul Arnison, who’s organised the event with team-mate Graeme Lee and kit man Andrew Thompson, said: “There’s loads to go at so we should make a few quid.
“We’ve had some great support from all over the country, we’ll probably have too much to auction off in the end!
“But I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people who can’t make it on the night but would like to have a stab at winning something, so the online auction gives them a chance to do that.”
Fans can email their bids, with full name and contact details, to: [email protected]
Alternatively, bids can be made by telephone to 01325 387000 (although the club would prefer emailed bids). Bids without full contact details will not be accepted. All pre-auction bidding will close at 5pm on Friday.
There are still about 40 tickets remaining for Saturday’s Race Night, which starts at 7pm in the Ron Greener Suite. They’re priced £10 each, which includes a Pie & peas Supper, and are available from the Arena main reception.
THE AUCTION ITEMS
Jamie Chandler’s Wembley match-worn shirt, signed
Arsenal, signed by the team
Liverpool, signed by the team
Newcastle, signed by the team
Middlesbrough, signed by the team
Sunderland, signed by the team
Manchester United, signed by Chris Smalling
Swansea, signed by Danny Graham
Bolton, signed by Robbie Blake
Everton, signed by Tim Cahill
England U-21, signed by Sammi Ameobi
Signed photo of Sir Bobby Robson and Gazza