Droitwich Spa

“Beyond the
Dressing Room”
Welcome back for my second instalment of “Beyond the Dressing Room”. Which is
split between todays and Monday’s programmes.
This week I have decided to give you a bit of an insight into how some of the
characters within Darlaston Town (1874) FC came to be involved with the club. I
will then hope you get an idea of just how infectious/warm and close knitted our on/
off the field team really are…
Most people think of Darlaston Town (1874) and think of a particular player, the
manager or maybe even the chairman, but to me there would be no Darlaston
Town without a traditional and proud history. Nobody lies at the heart of that more
than our club secretary/grounds maintenance who for his 30 plus years’ service to
the club has seen recognition in receiving “Black Country’s unsung hero 2015”, and
this summer the “Queens Valued Volunteer Award”.
Gilberto as I call him has become more than a part of the football family, to me and
my own family he is just “family”. He is the most kind hearted and dedicated man
I’ve ever met, and I love listening to his stories from years gone by, I among others
know Gil as Mr Darlaston and he has a reputation far and wide across Midlands
grassroots football. His reputation is weighted in respect for his knowledge and
experience, we all joke but for me Gil signifies what this level of football is about
and is integral to our club.
Next is Neil Chambers our chairman, he gets his own section in the programme
every home game, so of course everyone knows his face, but few know what
commitment and heart lies behind that face. Neil is a retired tax inspector and we
all of course joke with him about how his conscience and determination to follow
the rules to the letter. His desire to follow every guideline, protect the reputation of
the club and to build and develop the club ensuring it is sustainable and here for
generations to enjoy for the foreseeable.
You see Neil is the brains of the outfit, he keeps meetings to time, is the paperwork
maestro, he does so so much more than steer our ship. Neil is extremely hands on
and often jokes about his “title” giving him some kind of protection from the more
grizzly jobs such as toilet cleaning and bacon flipping, but no he gets on those
marigolds as much as the next volunteer and does more than his bit.
18
resul:ng in a corner. From the corner the havoc con:nued a Chris Norton header bobbled
in to the six-yard area Sam Causton's aempted clearance hit the back of Whiaker and
rebounded into the net to halve the arrears.
Despite the setback Darlaston responded well and Taylor had two glorious opportuni:es
to extend their lead, firstly he created a fine chance for himself turning two defenders
before unleashing a dipping 20-yard angled shot inches over the bar. A minute later Taylor
pounced on a poor back pass, but his 12-yard shot was saved by the legs of keeper
Mauldridge. On 37 minutes
Darlaston were awarded
their second penalty when
Bolzon was brought down
from behind by Ashley
Brookes. Stanton again
dispatched the spot kick to
restore the visitors two
goal advantage.
Darlaston were dominant
in the opening 45 minutes
but the second half was
more evenly contested and
Bustleholme probably had
the edge. Last season's
Division One top goal
scorer and League Player of the Season Chris Brown was much more influen:al spraying
40 and 50 yard passes from le< to right crea:ng problems for the home defence as
Remmell Johnson and Myles Neleford both responded as Bustleholme tried desperately
to get themselves back into the game.
Whiall pounced on a poor back pass by Ryan Jones but Whiaker's legs came to the
rescue whilst Brown and Chris Norton both had shots well wide. Brown hit the bar with a
20-yard drive and Darlaston weathered the storm to compose themselves forcing several
free kicks as the home side became a lile over zealous with some of their challenges on
Diallo and Bolzon.
With 5 minutes remaining Darlaston were awarded their third penalty of the a