The lates instalment of my look back at Darlington's 1990/91 season. Click here for August, September, October, November and December.
Coming off a disappointing game at Scarborough, Darlington started off 1991 with an impressive 4-1 win over Cardiff at home on new years day. The defence did most of the scoring, Les McJannett, Jimmy Willis and Mick Tait with goals, David Cork getting the other. The great start to the month continued with a 3-1 home win over Carlisle, Kevan Smith and Drew Coverdale with goals, as well as the first of the year for Phil Linacre who was making his first start of the season, replacing Cork. Due to weather related postponements and FA cup committments elsewhere, very few other teams were playing, so this win saw Darlington finally reach the top of the table with 40 points from 22 games.
It was over 3 weeks before we played at home again, the first away game being a Leyland DAF(t) trophy tie at Preston. We lost 2-1, (have we ever done well in that competition?) but Linacre did score again and now we could concentrate on the league. That meant a visit to Burnley, who were also chasing promotion, so a big game, big crowd and a good away following, Coverdale and Gary Gill were replaced in midfield by Steve Mardenborough and Paul Emson, and that can never be a good sign, and it did turn out badly, Linacre scored again! but it ended up 3-1 for Burnley and that was the end of our table topping for now.
It was two weeks before Darlo played again, this time a frustrating 0-0 draw at lowly Halifax. and then the last game of the month saw them finally return home for a game against Gillingham, and more importantly, referee Tom Fitzharris. Andy Toman was sent off for dissent and Mick Tait also saw red, and nine man Darlo hung on for a 1-1 draw. Needless to say the fans weren't happy and there was an angry pitch invasion, and Fitzharris was actually hit by an apple as he made his way down the tunnel.
As annoying as that game was, more concerning for Darlo fans was news that Birmingham City were trying to poach away Brian Little, which came up towards the end of the month. Thoughts of Brian going, probably taking Frank Gray with him, and potentially leaving Kevan Smith behind as player - manager were thankfully put to rest when Brian committed himself to Darlington, which would spur the team on to a very successful February.
As always, feel free to add comments and any memories to fill in the gaps. Cheers.
Coming up, February: a clean sheet or two, including Prudhoe's game at Hartlepool.
I seem to be unable to edi the post, so I'll put it in here that it was Jimmy Willis who scored against Gillingham, and Phil Linacre stopped as soon as he started, replaced in that game by Lee Ellison.
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