On Tuesday 3rd January 2012 Raj Singh made a very sad, moving and honest statement about regrettably having to send Darlington FC into administration. Of course, there are the horror stories of the Leeds demise, Luton Town ending their 89 year stay in the Football League and of course Ipswich’s current form under Paul Jewel l, but surely none quite compare to the awful predicament Darlington have found themselves in over the last 10 years. Third time into administration over the last 9 years, currently under a transfer embargo that restricts them from improving their team and in possession of a 27’000 sweater stadium that they can’t even half fill. At the same time, they don’t have Alex McLeish managing them, swings and roundabouts I guess. The punishment for the Quakers is a 10 point reduction, putting them in 16th but the Football Conference have announced they will consider relegating them if they cannot pay their debts by the summer. It’s about time some harder action was taken against clubs who keep bailing themselves out by declaring bankruptcy, it’s not fair on creditors and I’m sure HM Revenue and Customs do not like it one bit. And in this case it all stems into from one stupid decision, to move into the new, massive, way too big stadium in 2003. Since then the declared £20 million debts have been holding back a club that has won a trophy at Wembley last year and have always battled at the top of the respected division.
This is just another example of a club not being able to look after itself in the modern competitive game, where money and wealth dominates success. But at the same time, you have to have a decent structure. There will be times when you cannot perhaps reach your potential, but it’s important to be patient. As an Aston Villa fan I know that more than most clubs at the moment, but despite frustration and boring football, wage structure has to come down from the Martin ‘money grows on trees’ O’Neil times. So if there are any football owners out there reading this, just remember the allegorical tale of Darlington Football Club. 
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