DAFTS enjoying an autumn trip to York. Photos: Ted Blair

Barrow v Darlington (January 2012)

Eastbourne 1-1 Darlington (September 2010)

Sometimes you know it's not going to be your day. Eastbourne Borough might feel aggrieved to be cut down to nine men, after the letter of the law was applied rigorously within a few minutes. They then conceded a goal from Chris Senior. But the depleted side managed to equalise when Darlo, hardly short of markers, failed to pick up Jamie Taylor for an easy header. Then the hosts hung on, after a blistering attacking spell. Stand-in goalkeeper Matt Smart was the hero, after the midfielder put on the jersey and commanded his area. Despite seeing his goal peppered with crosses, he punched confidently, sometimes erratically but must have been delighted to find Darlo again lacking cutting edge in their finishing. He was greeted by a standing ovation afterwards in the clubhouse. It was a day for him to remember and a point was no less than battling Borough deserved. Darlo's strikeforce can hardly complain about the service, but they again showed themselves to be toothless.

Some of DAFTS in the pub before the game, and away support during the game

John Terry in the crowd at Eastbourne, dropping in to watch elder brother Paul play. © Photos: Ted Blair

Brentford 2008

Dagenham DAFTS photos 2009

DAFTS down the Pan - pre-match 2006

We had an enjoyable trip to Lewes in the FA Cup first round in November 2006. First of all, there was a good turnout of DAFTS in Sussex, meeting in a very friendly pub, The Gardeners Arms, in the charming town centre. The locals were certainly in the Cup spirit and made us feel welcome. Lance had his "lucky" (so far) Peruvian hat on, even Howard could not jinx us. The Dripping Pan was certainly a quaint ground and, for those of us who quite enjoyed Feethams for its little oddities, it was good to be somewhere original and quirky. Still, not many of us had watched football from a path on the top of a bank before! The 4-1 victory margin was a little flattering but we were in control in the second half and we returned to the pub for a little celebration. NB: Thanks to Iain for sorting out the tickets. Photos: Ted Blair.

A Posh day out

It doesn't get much better than this for a DAFTS weekend in September 2006. The pub near the ground not only has decent beers on in the bar - but a marquee out in the back garden and its own real ale festival. Plus, it was bright sunshine. Then we went to the game, and rather than that event signalling the end of the afternoon, Darlo put on a dazzling first half display with three goals against Peterborough. We even managed to hold onto the lead in the second half despite a Posh fight-back and going down to 10 men. Even the train back to Brum arrived a few minutes early.

Lance with that Cavalier attitude

Catherine thinks it's the pits

DAFTS is all about personal growth

Howard improvises

Is that an onion ring left over from the curry night?

Tony and John look bushed

Back to winning ways

Darlo bounced back from an awful run of results to earn a 4-2 win over play-off rivals Lincoln City in April. All the goals game in a hectic second half, with the best from Jemal Johnson - one of two from the on-loan striker from Blackburn. As you can see, a few relieved and delighted faces in the crowd. Photos: Ted Blair.

Name up in lights at Piccadilly Circus. Photo: Gerry Smith.

DARLINGTON v BURY, MARCH 2003: Below are shots from the Darlington Beer Festival, March 2003, pictured are top - Ken Toase and Colin Fletcher; middle - Neil Johnson and Tony Waters; bottom - Colin Fletcher keeping his head warm and his Feethams Farewell cold.

A DAFTS Christmas - gnome and away!

Reservoir Dafts...

Mr Blond, Mr Grey, Mr Greying, Mr Receding and extras take a Tarantino-esque stride down Meadow Lane. No blood, just a little sweat is spilt during the course of the next hour and a half.© Photo: Ted Blair.

DAFTS tied up in Notts for afternoon

There are few places better to round up our season on the road than Nottingham. As always, the Vat and Fiddle was an excellent venue to wind down before - and after - the match, while Meadow Lane (bottom right) was similarly suitable for catching up on some sleep. A few DAFTS even left the tedious match early to resume refreshments. They missed the goal. But some of us saw David Rowson's deflected free kick and didn't get bored retelling it afterwards. Lance enjoyed his last cigarettes in a pub before an away game and didn't get bored telling us they would be his last cigarettes at an away game. But will he really not come at all next season and stay home with his old black and white films?

Those pictured above include Brummie Tony, checking the scores on his mobile. He also checked out the "best pub jokes" book but mercifully didn't tell us any. Doug (happy 60th for next week) and Pete had travelled from Darlington, while Ray wisely got the earlier train back than risk travelling with son Tony - after last season's expensive taxi ride. Brian awake and Brian in repose. The game was forgettable, what they call an "end of season affair" alhough overall we probably just edged it.

Ronan and the boys notice some of "the old magic" is missing.

DAFTS keep smiling during London weekend

Despite a disappointing match (when have we said that before?), there was an enjoyable DAFTS weekender in London for the Barnet game in April 2006. Neil and Mari flew in from Norway, while a combination of train and coach brought others to the capital in time for a meet-up at the London Drinker beer festival at Friday teatime. This was then followed by an excellent tapas feast - thanks to Ted for the recommendation. Some of us stayed a little too long at our hotel bar - very nice piano, very nice prices! Saturday, the Old Mitre pub was the pre-match meet-up, some of us still feeling a little fragile! We then hit the Head of Steam at Euston, followed by a great veggie curry nearby.

Yorkshiremen in suits

The Darlo Tykes sponsored the Mansfield match and celebrated in comfort. Photos: Ted Blair/DAFTS.

OXFORD 2003: THEY THINK IT'S HAIR ALL OVER It is now, as Ted Blair meets Rory McGrath, winner of the Ted Blair Look-alike Contest.

Travel sickness

Six appeal at Moss Rose in 2008 - just as well we didn't score 11. And for some the excitement was too much.

2007-2008: Fans photos from the Dagenham, Millers, Macclesfield and Stanley trips

It's like this...Dagenham debate	Another for the Elsey narcolepsy files
The sign and the face says it all	The Wright stuff - celebrations on and off the pitch
Ted likes a good beard when he spots one	But Tony's still got a little way to go to catch up

Down to Griffin Park

DAFTS line up in Isleworth	Steve and Tony, looking a bit down in the mouth for some reason	Being in that London, there's a wide selection of international cuisine to tempt the palate
Bev and Iain among the DAFTS crowd in the Brewery Tap	On the way to the ground, or pub, can't remember...	The Brewery Tap All photos: Ted Blair

Here for the beer

A few shots from Ted from 2008's Darlington Spring Thing Beer Festival before the Grimsby match. A thoroughly enjoyable weekend, thanks to an excellent Friday night curry and of course the right result on the Saturday.

Six of the best

It can't get much better - presenting an award to DAFTS favourite real ale pub, followed by our biggest away win for 26 years. The 6-0 victory was preceded by one-way traffic at the Waters Green Tavern. Oh and yes, Lance did go all the way to Macclesfield and not go to the game! The DAFTS Pub of the Year award (pictured above), is something we present each season for the pub which we feel is not only serving good beer (obvious) but offers a warm welcome and is away fan and football-friendly. The pub has been a popular watering hole for us - and we always look forward to our visit.

We'd be pleased to put your photos up, e-mail us them to dafts2002uk@yahoo.co.uk

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Ted Blair's match photos - 2005/2006 selection or Ted's match photos from 2004/2005