List of Darlington F.C. seasons explained

Darlington Football Club is an English association football club founded in 1883 and based in the town of Darlington, County Durham. Its first team played in the Northern League from 1889 to 1908 and then in the North-Eastern League until becoming a member of the newly formed Football League Third Division North in 1921. They won that division's title in 1925, and their 15th place in the Second Division in 1926 remains their highest ever league finish, but most of their Football League history was spent in the bottom tier. The club lost its Football League status briefly in 1988 and again in 2010, since when the team has competed in non-league football.

The team's first success in a nationally organised cup competition came in the 1934 Third Division North Cup. They reached the last 16 of the FA Cup twice, and the quarter-final of the League Cup once, in 1968. In the early 1990s they won successive titles, in the Conference in 1990 and the Fourth Division in 1991. In 2011 they won the FA Trophy.

History

Darlington Football Club was founded in 1883 to address the local newspaper's view that there was "no club, urban or rural, sufficiently powerful to worthily represent" the town of Darlington.^[1] In their second season, the club's first team won the major regional trophy, the Durham Challenge Cup,^[2] and the following season they entered the FA Cup for the first time, only to lose 8–0 to Grimsby Town.^[3] In 1889, Darlington were one of the founder members of the Northern League; they won the league title in 1896 and 1900, and reached the semi-final of the FA Amateur Cup in the same two seasons.^[4] The club turned professional in 1908 and joined the North-Eastern League. The 1910–11 season saw Darlington reach the last 16 of the FA Cup, progressing through five qualifying rounds to lose to Swindon Town in the third round proper.^[3] They won the North-Eastern League in 1913 and 1921,^[4] and were invited to join the newly formed Football League Third Division North.^[5]

Runners-up in their first season in the Football League, Darlington were Third Division North champions three years later, thus winning promotion to the Second Division. Their 15th-place finish in 1926 remains,, their best League performance; they were relegated back to the Third Division in 1927, where they remained until the Second World War put an end to competitive football. They came third in 1929–30, but twice had to apply for re-election to the League, in 1932–33 and 1936–37, after finishing in last place in the section.^[4] In 1934, they enjoyed their first success in a nationally organised cup competition, defeating Stockport County 4–3 at Old Trafford to win the Football League Third Division North Cup,^[3] and reached the final again two years later. In the 1957–58 season, the club equalled their previous best FA Cup run, reaching the last 16 by defeating Chelsea, Football League champions only three years earlier, in the fourth round.^[6] When the regional sections of the Third Division were merged in 1958–59 to form two national divisions, Darlington were placed in the fourth tier.^[4]

Darlington won promotion to the Third Division in 1965–66, but for one season only.^[4] Their most successful season in the League Cup came in 1967–68: drawn away to Brian Clough's Derby County in the quarter-final, they took the lead, only to lose 5–4. During the 1970s the club had to apply for re-election to the League five times.^[7] Darlington spent two seasons in the Third Division in the 1980s; their 13th-place finish in 1986 was a record high since the introduction of the four-division structure.^[4] Darlington were relegated from the Football League in 1988–89 after 68 years of continuous membership. They made an immediate return as Conference champions, then won the Fourth Division title in 1990–91, but spent only one season in the third tier before relegation followed.^[4]

Darlington lost in both the second and the third rounds of the 1999–2000 FA Cup.^[8] Manchester United's decision to play in the FIFA Club World Championship rather than the FA Cup left a space in the third round which the organisers filled by drawing lots from among the 20 teams eliminated in the second. Darlington were the "lucky losers", and were beaten 2–1 by Aston Villa in the third round after losing 3–1 to Gillingham in the second.^{[4] [8]} They came close to a return to the Third Division via the play-offs in 1996 and 2000,^[4] and a period of administration in 2008–09 resulted in a 10-point deduction,^[9] without which they would again have reached the play-offs. The following season they were relegated to the Conference for the second time, and went on to reach the 2011 FA Trophy Final, in which Chris Senior scored the only goal of the game in the last minute of extra time to defeat Mansfield Town.^[10]

In 2011–12, another period of administration forced the termination of players' contracts before a last-minute injection of funding enabled Darlington to complete the season.^[11] The new owners' failure to secure a Company Voluntary Arrangement before exiting administration meant the Football Association treated the club as a new club, placed it in the Northern League, required a change of playing nameDarlington 1883 was chosenand barred it from entry to national competitions.^[12] The new club won the 2012–13 Northern League title by a 13-point margin to gain promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One North for 2013–14,^[13] followed two years later by consecutive promotions: first to the Premier Division via the play-offs,^[14] then to the National League North as 2015–16 Northern Premier League champions.^[15] They were unable to make it three in a row when, despite finishing in the playoff positions in 2016–17, ground grading issues prevented their participation,^[16] since when they have remained in the National North.

The table details their achievements in senior first-team competitions from their first appearance in the FA Cup in 1885–86 to the end of the most recently completed season.

Key

Key to league record:

• P – Played
• W – Games won
• D – Games drawn
• L – Games lost
• F – Goals for
• A – Goals against
• Pts – Points
• Pos – Final position

Key to colours and symbols:

style=background:gold		Winners
style=background:silver	2nd or F	Runners-up
style=background:#cfc		Promoted
style=background:MistyRose		Relegated
style=background:yellow	♦	Top league scorer in Darlington's division

Key to divisions:

• National N – National League North
• Northern – Northern League
• Northern 1 – Northern League Division 1
• North East – North Eastern League
• NPL – Northern Premier League
• NPL 1N – Northern Premier League Division One North
• Division 2 – Football League Second Division
• Division 3 – Football League Third Division
• Division 3N – Football League Third Division North
• Division 4 – Football League Fourth Division
• Conference – Conference National
• League 2 – Football League Two

• Prelim – Preliminary round
• Group – Group stage
• QR1 – First qualifying round
• QR2 – Second qualifying round, etc.
• R1 – Round 1, etc.
• R1(N) – Round 1 Northern section, etc.
• R1(NE) – Round 1 North-eastern section, etc.
• QF – Quarter-final
• QF(N) – Quarter-final Northern section
• SF – Semi-final
• SF(N) – Semi-final Northern section
• F – Runners-up
• W – Winners

Details of the abandoned 1939–40 Football League and 2020–21 National League North seasons are shown in italics and appropriately footnoted.

Seasons

List of seasons, including league division and statistics, cup results and top scorer

Season	League	FA Cup^[17]	League Cup	Other^[18] ^[19]	Top league scorer(s)^[20]
width=15% scope=col data-sort-type=text	Division	scope=col data-sort-type=number	P	scope=col data-sort-type=number	W	scope=col data-sort-type=number	D	scope=col data-sort-type=number	L	scope=col data-sort-type=number	F	scope=col data-sort-type=number	A	scope=col data-sort-type=number	Pts	scope=col data-sort-type=number	Pos	scope=col data-sort-type=text	Competition	scope=col data-sort-type=text	Result	scope=col data-sort-type=text	Name	scope=col data-sort-type=number	Goals
scope=row	1885–86	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	data-sort-value="99"	—	R2		—		style=text-align:center data-sort-value="zzz"	—	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1886–87	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	data-sort-value="99"	—	R1		—		style=text-align:center data-sort-value="zzz"	—	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1887–88	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	data-sort-value="99"	—	R3		—		style=text-align:center data-sort-value="zzz"	—	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1888–89	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	data-sort-value="99"	—	QR1		—		style=text-align:center data-sort-value="zzz"	—	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1889–90	Northern	18	7	6	5	46	20	20	5th	QR1		—		style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1890–91	Northern	14	7	data-sort-value=0.5	0	7	25	29	14	5th	QR4		—		style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1891–92	Northern	16	2	3	11	17	49	7	9th	QR4		—		style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1892–93	Northern	10	2	1	7	11	37	5	6th	QR4		—		style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1893–94	Northern	14	7	1	6	25	20	15	4th	QR1		FA Amateur Cup	R1	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1894–95	Northern	18	11	data-sort-value=0.5	0	7	56	30	22	4th	QR3		FA Amateur Cup	R2	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1895–96	Northern	16	10	4	2	53	24	24	style=background:gold	1st	Prelim		FA Amateur Cup	SF	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1896–97	Northern	16	10	2	4	54	35	22	style=background:silver	2nd	QR4		FA Amateur Cup	R2	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1897–98	Northern 1	16	8	2	6	41	31	18	3rd	QR3		FA Amateur Cup	data-sort-value="R6"	QF	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1898–99	Northern 1	16	10	3	3	50	29	23	style=background:silver	2nd	QR3		FA Amateur Cup	data-sort-value="R6"	QF	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1899–1900	Northern 1	16	12	3	1	42	16	27	style=background:gold	1st	QR1		FA Amateur Cup	SF	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1900–01	Northern	20	11	2	7	55	37	24	3rd	QR2		FA Amateur Cup	data-sort-value="R6"	QF	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1901–02	Northern	18	9	4	5	37	22	22	3rd	Prelim		FA Amateur Cup	R1	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1902–03	Northern	24	10	3	11	34	50	23	6th	QR1		FA Amateur Cup	R1	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1903–04	Northern	24	11	3	10	48	49	25	6th	QR3		FA Amateur Cup	R2	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1904–05	Northern	24	9	6	9	38	38	24	4th	QR4		FA Amateur Cup	data-sort-value="R6"	QF	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1905–06	Northern	26	12	7	7	47	47	31	4th	QR4		FA Amateur Cup	R1	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1906–07	Northern	22	9	2	11	30	37	20	7th	QR1		FA Amateur Cup	R1	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1907–08	Northern	22	9	2	11	39	41	20	9th	QR4		FA Amateur Cup	R1	style=text-align:left data-sort-value="zz"	Not known	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1908–09	North East	34	15	8	11	76	73	38	8th	QR3		—		style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1909–10	North East	32	16	5	11	59	54	37	5th	QR3		—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1910–11	North East	34	19	5	10	79	40	43	4th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1911–12	North East	36	23	8	5	84	34	54	3rd	R2		—		style=text-align:left		19
scope=row	1912–13	North East	38	31	4	3	116	23	66	style=background:gold	1st	QR5		—		style=text-align:left		41
scope=row	1913–14	North East	38	20	10	8	72	43	50	4th	QR5		—		style=text-align:left		21
scope=row	1914–15	North East	38	25	4	9	109	38	54	4th	R1		—		style=text-align:left		40
scope=row	1919–20	North East	34	24	1	9	93	44	49	style=background:silver	2nd	R2		—		style=text-align:left		21
scope=row	1920–21	North East	38	28	4	6	76	29	60	style=background:gold	1st	R1		—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1921–22	Division 3N	38	22	6	10	81	37	50	style=background:silver	2nd	R1		—		style=text-align:left		18
scope=row	1922–23	Division 3N	38	15	10	13	59	46	40	9th	QR6		—		style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1923–24	Division 3N	42	20	8	14	70	53	48	6th	R1		—		style=text-align:left	^[21]	style=background:yellow	27 ♦
scope=row	1924–25	style=background:#cfc	Division 3N	42	24	10	8	78	33	58	style=background:gold	1st	R1		—		style=text-align:left		style=background:yellow	39 ♦
scope=row	1925–26	Division 2	42	14	10	18	72	77	38	15th	R2		—		style=text-align:left		18
scope=row	1926–27	style=background:MistyRose	Division 2	42	12	6	24	79	98	30	21st	R4		—		style=text-align:left		25
scope=row	1927–28	Division 3N	42	21	5	16	89	74	47	7th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		21
scope=row	1928–29	Division 3N	42	13	7	22	64	88	33	19th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	1929–30	Division 3N	42	22	6	14	108	73	50	3rd	R1		—		style=text-align:left		34
scope=row	1930–31	Division 3N	42	16	10	16	71	59	42	11th	R1		—		style=text-align:left		23
scope=row	1931–32	Division 3N	40	17	4	19	66	69	38	11th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	1932–33	Division 3N	42	10	8	24	66	109	28	22nd	R4		—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1933–34	Division 3N	42	13	9	20	70	101	35	16th	R1		Football League Third Division North Cup	style=background:gold	W	style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1934–35	Division 3N	42	21	9	12	80	59	51	5th	R2		Football League Third Division North Cup	R1	style=text-align:left		31
scope=row	1935–36	Division 3N	42	17	6	19	74	79	40	12th	R3		Football League Third Division North Cup	data-sort-value="U" style=background:silver	F	style=text-align:left		19
scope=row	1936–37	Division 3N	42	8	14	20	66	96	30	22nd	R4		Football League Third Division North Cup	SF	style=text-align:left		26
scope=row	1937–38	Division 3N	42	11	10	21	54	79	32	19th	R1		Football League Third Division North Cup	R1	style=text-align:left		10
scope=row	1938–39	Division 3N	42	13	7	22	62	92	33	18th	R2		Football League Third Division North Cup	R1	style=text-align:left		13
scope=row	1939–40	Division 3N	3	2	1	data-sort-value=0.5	0	5	2	5	data-sort-value="98"	—			—		style=text-align:left		2
scope=row	1945–46	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	data-sort-value="99"	—	R2		—		data-sort-value="zzz"	—	data-sort-value="-1"	—
scope=row	1946–47	Division 3N	42	15	6	21	68	80	36	17th	R2		—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1947–48	Division 3N	42	13	13	16	54	70	39	16th	R1		—		style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	1948–49	Division 3N	42	20	6	16	83	74	46	4th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		23
scope=row	1949–50	Division 3N	42	11	13	18	56	69	35	17th	R1		—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1950–51	Division 3N	46	13	13	20	59	77	39	18th	R1		—		style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	1951–52	Division 3N	46	11	9	26	64	103	31	23rd	R1		—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1952–53	Division 3N	46	14	6	26	58	96	34	21st	R1		—		style=text-align:left		8
scope=row	1953–54	Division 3N	46	12	14	20	50	71	38	21st	R1		—		style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	1954–55	Division 3N	46	14	14	18	62	73	42	15th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1955–56	Division 3N	46	16	9	21	60	73	41	15th	R2		—			14
scope=row	1956–57	Division 3N	46	17	8	21	82	95	42	18th	R2		—		style=text-align:left		32
scope=row	1957–58	Division 3N	46	17	7	22	78	89	41	20th	R5		—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1958–59	Division 4	46	13	16	17	66	68	42	16th	R3		—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1959–60	Division 4	46	17	9	20	63	73	43	15th	R2		—		style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	1960–61	Division 4	46	18	13	15	78	70	49	7th	R2	R3	—		style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1961–62	Division 4	44	18	9	17	61	73	45	13th	R1	R1	—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1962–63	Division 4	46	19	6	21	72	87	44	12th	R1	R2	—		style=text-align:left		18
scope=row	1963–64	Division 4	46	14	12	20	66	93	40	19th	R1	R1	—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1964–65	Division 4	46	18	6	22	84	87	42	17th	R3	R2	—		style=text-align:left		25
scope=row	1965–66	style=background:#cfc	Division 4	46	25	9	12	72	53	59	style=background:silver	2nd	R2	R4	—		style=text-align:left		23
scope=row	1966–67	style=background:MistyRose	Division 3	46	13	11	22	47	81	37	22nd	R2	R2	—		style=text-align:left		13
scope=row	1967–68	Division 4	46	12	17	17	47	53	41	16th	R1	data-sort-value="R6"	QF	—		style=text-align:left		12
scope=row	1968–69	Division 4	46	17	18	11	62	45	52	5th	R2	R2	—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1969–70	Division 4	46	13	10	23	53	73	36	22nd	R1	R2	—		style=text-align:left		8
scope=row	1970–71	Division 4	46	17	11	18	58	57	45	12th	R2	R2	—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1971–72	Division 4	46	14	11	21	64	82	39	19th	R2	R1	—		style=text-align:left		20
scope=row	1972–73	Division 4	46	7	15	24	42	85	29	24th	R1	R1	—		style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	1973–74	Division 4	46	13	13	20	40	62	39	20th	R1	R2	—		style=text-align:left		9
scope=row	1974–75	Division 4	46	13	10	23	54	67	36	21st	R2	R1	—		style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1975–76	Division 4	46	14	10	22	48	57	38	20th	R1	R3	—		style=text-align:left		21
scope=row	1976–77	Division 4	46	18	13	15	59	64	49	11th	R3	R2	—		style=text-align:left		13
scope=row	1977–78	Division 4	46	14	13	19	52	59	41	19th	R1	R1	—			7
scope=row	1978–79	Division 4	46	11	15	20	49	66	37	21st	R3	R3	—			9
scope=row	1979–80	Division 4	46	9	17	20	50	74	35	22nd	R2	R1	—		style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	1980–81	Division 4	46	19	11	16	65	59	49	8th	R1	R1	—		style=text-align:left		22
scope=row	1981–82	Division 4	46	15	13	18	61	62	58	13th	R1	R1	—		style=text-align:left		17
scope=row	1982–83	Division 4	46	13	13	20	61	71	52	17th	R1	R1	—		style=text-align:left		18
scope=row	1983–84	Division 4	46	17	8	21	49	50	59	14th	R4	R2	Associate Members' Cup	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		10
scope=row	1984–85	style=background:#cfc	Division 4	46	24	13	9	66	49	85	3rd	R4	R1	Associate Members' Cup	data-sort-value="R5+"	QF(N)	style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1985–86	Division 3	46	15	13	18	61	78	58	13th	R1	R2	Associate Members' Cup	data-sort-value="R5+"	QF(N)	style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1986–87	style=background:MistyRose	Division 3	46	7	16	23	45	77	37	23rd	R2	R1	Associate Members' Cup	Group	style=text-align:left		12
scope=row	1987–88	Division 4	46	18	11	17	71	69	65	13th	R1	R2	Associate Members' Cup	data-sort-value="R5+"	QF(N)	style=text-align:left		21
scope=row	1988–89	style=background:MistyRose	Division 4	46	8	18	20	53	76	42		R1	R2	Associate Members' Cup	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		12
scope=row	1989–90	style=background:#cfc data-sort-value="Division 5"	Conference	42	26	9	7	76	25	87	style=background:gold	1st	R3			data-sort-value="R6"		style=text-align:left		19
scope=row	1990–91	style=background:#cfc	Division 4	46	22	17	7	68	38	83	style=background:gold	1st	R1	R2	Associate Members' Cup	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		10
scope=row	1991–92	style=background:MistyRose	Division 3	46	10	7	29	56	90	37	24th	R2	R1	Associate Members' Cup	Group	style=text-align:left		10
scope=row	1992–93	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	42	12	14	16	48	53	50	15th	R1	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	1993–94	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	42	10	11	21	42	64	41	21st	R1	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	1994–95	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	42	11	8	23	43	57	41	20th	R2	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		9
scope=row	1995–96	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	20	18	8	60	42	78	5th	R2		R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	Group	style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	1996–97	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	14	10	22	64	78	52	18th	R2	R2	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		16
scope=row	1997–98	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	14	12	20	56	72	54	19th	R3	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		12
scope=row	1998–99	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	18	11	17	69	58	65	11th	R2	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		style=background:yellow	23 ♦
scope=row	1999–2000	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	21	16	9	66	36	79	4th	R3	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		style=background:yellow	24 ♦
scope=row	2000–01	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	12	13	21	44	56	49	20th	R2	R2	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R5+"	QF(N)	style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	2001–02	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	15	11	20	60	71	56	15th	R3	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		13
scope=row	2002–03	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	12	18	16	58	59	54	14th	R3	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	2003–04	data-sort-value="Division 4F"	Division 3	46	14	11	21	53	61	53	18th	R1	R2	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	2004–05	data-sort-value="Division 4L"	League 2	46	20	12	14	57	49	72	8th	R1	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R0+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		14
scope=row	2005–06	data-sort-value="Division 4L"	League 2	46	16	15	15	58	52	63	8th	R1	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R1(N)	style=text-align:left		10
scope=row	2006–07	data-sort-value="Division 4L"	League 2	46	17	14	15	52	56	65	11th	R2	R2	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R6+"	SF(N)	style=text-align:left		7
scope=row	2007–08	data-sort-value="Division 4L"	League 2	46	22	12	12	67	40	78	6th	R1	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(NE)	style=text-align:left		13
scope=row	2008–09	data-sort-value="Division 4L"	League 2	46	20	12	14	61	44	62	12th	R1	R2	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R6+"	SF(N)	style=text-align:left		9
scope=row	2009–10	style=background:MistyRose data-sort-value="Division 4L"	League 2	46	8	6	32	36	87	30	24th	R1	R1	data-sort-value="AssociateM"	Football League Trophy	data-sort-value="R1+"	R2(N)	style=text-align:left		9
scope=row	2010–11	data-sort-value="Division 5"	Conference	46	18	17	11	61	42	71	7th	R2		FA Trophy	style=background:gold	W	style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	2011–12	style=background:MistyRose data-sort-value="Division 5"	Conference	46	11	13	22	47	73	36	22nd	QR4		FA Trophy	R1	style=text-align:left		10
scope=row	2012–13	style=background:#cfc data-sort-value="Division 9"	Northern 1	46	40	2	4	145	34	122	style=background:gold	1st			—		style=text-align:left	^[22]	24
scope=row	2013–14	data-sort-value="Division 8"	NPL 1N	42	28	6	8	101	37	90	style=background:silver	2nd			FA Trophy	QR1	style=text-align:left	^[23]	24
scope=row	2014–15	style=background:#cfc data-sort-value="Division 8"	NPL 1N	42	28	7	7	99	37	91	style=background:silver	2nd	QR1				style=text-align:left	^[24]	22
scope=row	2015–16	style=background:#cfc data-sort-value="Division 7"	NPL	46	33	5	8	106	42	104	style=background:gold	1st	QR1				style=text-align:left	^[25]	19
scope=row	2016–17	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	42	22	10	10	89	67	76	5th	QR2		FA Trophy	QR3	style=text-align:left		18
scope=row	2017–18	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	42	14	13	15	58	58	55	12th	QR2		FA Trophy	QR3		11
scope=row	2018–19	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	42	12	14	16	56	62	50	16th	QR2		FA Trophy	QR3	style=text-align:left		11
scope=row	2019–20	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	33	14	6	13	43	50	48	10th	R1		FA Trophy	R2	style=text-align:left		15
scope=row	2020–21	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	11	4	1	6	17	11	13	19th	R2		FA Trophy	data-sort-value="R6"	QF		4
scope=row	2021–22	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	42	14	11	17	57	58	53	13th	QR2		FA Trophy	R2	style=text-align:left		12
scope=row	2022–23	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	46	18	13	15	72	64	67	10th	QR3		FA Trophy	R4	style=text-align:left		19
scope=row	2023–24	data-sort-value="Division 6"	National N	46	16	8	22	52	72	56	16th	QR3		FA Trophy	R2	style=text-align:left	^[26]	9

External links

• Darlington F.C. official website
• Darlington F.C. former official website via archive.org

Notes and References

1. News: Feethams' football glory days recalled . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 7 May 2003 . 20 May 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029081238/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7032045.feethams-football-glory-days-recalled/ . 29 October 2020.
2. Web site: Durham Challenge Cup Winners . Dunston Federation F.C . https://web.archive.org/web/20071025043222/http://www.thefed.myby.co.uk/ddc.htm . 25 October 2007.
3. Web site: History in brief . Darlington F.C. . https://web.archive.org/web/20101217002425/http://www.darlington-fc.net/page/History/0%2C%2C10339~1027804%2C00.html . 17 December 2010.
4. Web site: Darlington . Football Club History Database . Richard Rundle . 25 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240425135313/https://www.fchd.info/DARLINGT.HTM . 25 April 2024 . live.
5. Web site: Division 3 1920/21 . Footballsite . 20 May 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822175808/https://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/Seasons/1920-21/Div31920-21.htm . 22 August 2021.
6. News: Darlington's three quick goals . The Times . 30 January 1958 . 12 . subscription.
7. News: Darlington FC 125th Anniversary 42–83 . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 4 . 25 April 2009 . NewsBank.
8. News: Lucky Darlington land Villa trip . BBC Sport . 1 December 1999 . 20 May 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210826072450/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/544737.stm . 26 August 2021.
9. News: Darlington enter administration . 25 February 2009 . 20 May 2022 . BBC Sport . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160807193239/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7909576.stm . 7 August 2016.
10. News: FA Trophy final: Darlington 1–0 Mansfield Town . BBC Sport . 7 May 2011 . 20 May 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210524213414/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13296719 . 24 May 2021.
11. News: Darlington put in administration for third time . BBC Sport . 3 January 2012 . 30 April 2012.
    News: No players – but sacked Liddle carries on . Paul . Fraser . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 17 January 2012 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029080245/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/9474769.no-players---sacked-liddle-carries/ . 29 October 2020 . live.
    News: Fans group given time to raise Darlington rescue funds . BBC Sport . 15 February 2012 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210302145542/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17047594 . 2 March 2021 . live.
12. News: Darlington to appeal Northern League demotion with FA . BBC Sport . 31 May 2012 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201111215512/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18279930 . 11 November 2020 . live.
    News: Quakers lose FA appeal over drop into Northern League . Joe . Willis . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 21 June 2012 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201029082526/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/9775174.quakers-lose-fa-appeal-drop-northern-league/ . 29 October 2020 . live.
13. Web site: Ebac Northern League Division One 1213 . Northern Football League . 17 June 2013 . https://archive.today/20130619230210/http://www.northernleague.org/archive/view_archive_div1_tables.php?season=1213 . 19 June 2013.
14. News: Darlington delight after winning promotion play-off final . Craig . Stoddart . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 2 May 2015 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220520120417/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/12928824.darlington-delight-winning-promotion-play-off-final/ . 20 May 2022 . live.
15. News: No horror show as Quakers clinch the league title and promotion in style . Scott . Wilson . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 22 April 2016 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220108034747/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/14444581.no-horror-show-quakers-clinch-league-title-promotion-style/ . 8 January 2022 . live.
16. News: Darlington's promotion dreams are dashed after FA appeal rejected . Julia . Breen . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 26 April 2017 . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210729092427/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/15247888.darlingtons-promotion-dreams-dashed-fa-appeal-rejected/ . 29 July 2021 . live.
17. Web site: Results Archive . The Football Association . 25 April 2023. Individual seasons accessed via dropdown menu.
18. Web site: Football League Division Three North Cup Summary – Contents . Football Club History Database . Richard Rundle . 20 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211022193517/https://fchd.info/cups/div3ncupsummary.htm . 22 October 2021 . live.
19. Book: Samuel, Richard . The Complete F.A. Amateur Cup Results Book . Soccer Books . 2003 . 1-86223-066-8 . 5–15.
20. For seasons from 1908–09 to 1999–2000: Book: Tweddle, Frank . The Definitive Darlington F.C. . Soccerdata . Nottingham . 2000 . 978-1-899468-15-7 . 18–96.
    For seasons from 2000–01 to 2011–12 select via dropdown menu: Web site: Darlington: Player Appearances . Soccerbase . Centurycomm . 8 May 2012.
21. Web site: English League Leading Goalscorers . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) . James M. . Ross . 2 September 2021 . 20 May 2022 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220510052859/http://rsssf.com/tablese/engtops.html . 10 May 2022.
22. Web site: Division One (League Only) Top Goalscorers 1213 . Northern Football League . 17 June 2013 . https://archive.today/20130619230209/http://www.northernleague.org/archive/view_archive_goalscorers.php?type=1&submit=Go!&arch=1213 . 19 June 2013.
23. Web site: 2013/14 Season Archive: Goal scorers First Division North . Northern Premier League . 25 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160220132343/http://www.evostikleague.co.uk/archive1996-match-info/statistics?division_id=7449 . 20 February 2016.
24. Web site: 2014/15 Season Archive: Goal scorers First Division North . Northern Premier League . 25 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103101812/http://www.evostikleague.co.uk/archive2640-match-info/statistics?division_id=9972 . 3 January 2019.
25. Web site: 2015/16 Season Archive: Goal scorers Premier Division . Northern Premier League . 25 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103102348/http://www.evostikleague.co.uk/archive4094-match-info/statistics . 3 January 2019.
26. Web site: Darlington FC . Soccerway . Perform Group . 21 April 2024. Select season via dropdown menu.