A LOOK BACK IN HISTORY by J. Howarth

After the 19-14 war years Darwen joined the Lancashire Combination. The opening game attracted 7,000 supporters against Accrington the result was disappointing; Darwen lost by 3 goals to 1 on the 28th August 1920. Admission charges 8d for Adults and 3d for Ladies and Boys.

The season saw Darwen finish in 4th place and only lost 7 games out of 34 played, which was a good turn around after a bad start to the season.

Darwen had many well known players during this season and when it ended full back Tommy Howarth and George “Tiny” Haslam who stood well over 6ft were transferred to Manchester United for £750.

Darwen didn’t win any silver ware but managed to win the East Lancashire Charity Shield on the 26th April 1921, 7,000 spectators saw Darwen defeat Accrington by 4 goals to 1, after losing to Accrington in the opening game “it squared matters”

The game was a two legged affair the return game at Accrington resulted in a 1-1 draw, Darwen thus winning 5-2 on aggregate.

Darwen got to the quarter final of the Lancashire Junior Cup but went out to Chorley by 4 goals to one.

The highest gate of the season was 9,000 when Darwen played Fleetwood and the result was 4-1 in Darwen’s Favour.


A LOOK BACK IN HISTORY 75 YEARS AGO

Season 1930/31 was an exciting start for the supporters, when Joe Smith the former Bolton Wanderers inside left who had been playing for Manchester Central signed for Darwen, Smith after leaving Darwen had spells as manager for Reading and Blackpool.

Also on 13th December 1930 a player named Reg Preedy signed for Darwen, a centre forward who’s goal scoring record was second to none. On his debut against Morecambe which Darwen won 7-2 the player scored 3 goals.

Darwen had two major successes in the season, in the Lancashire Combination Cup wins against Clitheroe and Great Harwood saw them meet Chorley away, a draw saw a replay at Darwen, which Darwen won 3-1 in from of a crowd of 6,000.

On April 28th 1931 Darwen travelled to Southport to meet the seasiders reserve team in the final of the Lancashire Combination Cup, Darwen were comfortable winners by 4 goals to nil, Joe Smith and George Shaw each scored a couple of goals.

1930/31 season Darwen were Lancashire Combination Champions for the first time. Record Played 38, Won 23, Lost 8, Drawn 7, Goals for 116, Against 55, Points 53.

Darwen visited Spotland the home of Rochdale F.C. 27th December 1930 Darwen 12 Rochdale Reserves 1. Preedy 6, Smith 5 Shaw 1; completed an outstanding team performance. In the season Smith and Preedy scored over 50 goals between them and they proved valuable signings for Darwen during the season. Reg Preedy left Darwen in December 1938 to play for Rossendale United, he made 327 appearances for Darwen and scored 334 goals.

 

Name:		Steve Mullen
Nick Name:		Mull
Position:		Manager (Still could do a job as a player)
Age:		47
Height:		5ft 4inches
Joined Club:		As Manager 2004 (Played football here at the age of 11
Previous Clubs:		Man City, Bury, Morecambe, Northwich (Plus one or two others)
Favourite Club:		Manchester United
Favourite Player:		George Best One of the best talents the World of football as ever seen. Rooney (Now and then)
Favourite Food:		Chicken
Favourite Music:		I enjoy most types of music no real preference
Fantasy Female:		Think I will keep this one to myself
Who would you most like to meet and why (Past and present)
Not sure there are so many; but Brian Clough would have been interesting; I could not imagine anyone ever getting bored of talking football with him
Pre Match Rituals:		Last to get changed, Last out of changing rooms on match days.
Pet Hate:		Players who have a bad attitude
Best Football Moment:		Played at Newcastle in the F.A. Cup (Winning) and being picked man of the match
Worst Football Moment:		Breaking my Leg (Playing for Darwen)