Darlington FC History

On Saturday 21 March at 11am Ray Simpson did just that and fell 120 feet in full view of Darlo fans in the Market Place in Darlington to raise money for his beloved club.

In the build up to this momentous day Ray shared his worries, excitement and deliberations online in his 'Dare Diary'. Read Ray's instalments here -

Friday 20 March

So, the big day is almost upon us. The training programme has gone really well – Lester hasn’t walked as far for ages – and I don’t think I’ll have fish and chips for tea tonight just in case. I reckon my fitness has improved with all the extra walking and throwing of Lester’s ball. I’ve been jumping over the two foot wide beck near my home – and into it once remember -- so at least I’ll have some experience of falling through the air!

I haven’t a clue what to wear. What do you wear for a 2.5 second flight at 60 feet per second? Something dark coloured, I suppose, just in case. I’m sure I’ll be able to think of something appropriate.

Les the photographer says he’s going to take plenty of photos – presumably in revenge for the pic which is on this website – so I’m sure there’ll be plenty of embarrassing ones. Martin Gray, the Darlo assistant manager, says he’s going to do the commentary.

At least the weather is going to be good. Warm and sunny, with little wind – so St Cuthbert’s Church should be safe – and humidity for those on the ground at about 60 per cent. Up in the air, I know I’ll be sweating. One of the lads from Powerfan said somebody had a test flight when it was quite windy the other day, and nearly landed on a passing car!

So, thanks to everybody for reading this blog over the last fortnight since this crazy idea came into my head. I don’t know how much I’m going to raise through this, but thanks to all who have sponsored me so far, it’s much appreciated, it will all go towards saving the Quakers. If you’re in the market place tomorrow morning, pop over and have a chat beforehand, take your place in the queue behind me, or help pick up the pieces afterwards. Remember as well that it’s the Darlo fans’ day of action, so if you fancy a walk to the ground from the town centre, turn up around 11.30.
Darlo FC seem to have a crisis every five years these days – so who knows what I’ll be doing in 2014! A parachute jump, maybe?

Thursday 19 March

Can you remember the first “Rocky” film? When Sylvester Stallone was plucked from obscurity to fight the world champion and he embarked on a stiff training regime to get fit?

In that film, he started running around the streets of his home city, Philadelphia, and in his first training session, he tried to climb a long flight of steps, but failed miserably.
But after many early morning training sessions, he was super fit, ready to fight the champ, and to prove it he bounded up those steps and celebrated at the top with half the kids of Philadelphia alongside him.

While I’m not quite Rocky, when I’ve been out walking Lester this week, the walks have been getting longer and longer.

And this morning, at about 6.30, I decided that we would walk all the way to the far end of Hackworth Park near our house, and right up to the top of the hill.

Lester was overjoyed, he doesn’t usually walk that far on a morning, and I must admit, I felt better for it. I didn’t quite run up the hill, but I did a few Rocky chants at the top, which prompted some puzzled looks from other dog owners. Lester looked at me as if to say; “Er, granddad, my name’s Lester”.

So am I mentally and physically fit for the big challenge? We’ll see on Saturday morning!

Wednesday 18 March

I’ve noticed some strange things going on in the last few days. Perhaps it’s coincidence or innocuous, but I’m not too sure.

At Ineos, for example, Mark came to me the other day and started talking about job notes for a project we’re involved in. There’s not a massive rush to get them done – although there is a need to get them done by the end of the month – but Mark said: “Do you think we can get them done by Friday?” “Why?” I replied. “Just in case we need them.”

At home, my good lady, who seems to be taking this all in her stride, asked me the other night; “How’s the pension scheme going at work?” Maybe she had just seen a piece on the news about a black hole in somebody’s pension scheme, but maybe she was just checking. She’s bought a few flowers this week as well.

Our Hayley, who works for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People near Selby, says she’s coming up especially for the event – if I can call it that. “I won’t be coming up Friday night, but I’ll see you before the jump on Saturday morning,” she said.

Even Lester the dog seems to be seeking more affection. As I type this story on my PC, he’s hanging around me, as if he has a premonition that something’s going to happen. He’s even responding to all my commands, which hasn’t happened for a while.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Andrew and Kierron after they had to abandon their sponsored walk to Lincoln on Monday night. The two lads covered over 80 miles before exhaustion caught up with the pair of them.

So if you had a choice, what would it be? Walking 80 miles, or free falling 140 feet to the ground in 2.5 seconds? Take your place in the queue behind me on Saturday morning!

Tuesday 17 March

Watching the 20-20 cricket the other night from the West Indies set me thinking.

When a batsmen walks to the wicket in one of these matches, he’s always accompanied by music – so if you were going to choose my music for this endeavour, what would it be? I’m sure that there might be some extra research going on in the library at the BBC Tees studios in Middlesbrough as well...

“The Daring Young man on the Flying Trapeze” is the first one that springs to mind. “Raining men” - The Weather Girls. “Jumping Jack Flash” - The Rolling Stones. “Puppet on a String” - Sandie Shaw. “Flying without wings” - Westlife. “Leap of faith” – Bruce Springsteen. Or maybe “I’m Crazy” – Patsy Cline.

The one that I daren’t contemplate is “Bits and Pieces” by The Dave Clark Five!

Ray's waxed leg

I’m getting plenty of messages from support. One in particular came from my mate at the Darlington Building Society, David Copland, who said: “Ray, you probably need a break (although not of the physical kind) from reporting on the latest setback!”

Martin Gray, the Darlo assistant manager, says he’s coming along. “I want to do the commentary for this!” he said, with a hint of seeking revenge in his voice.

Monday 16 March

People have been asking what other daredevil activities I’ve been involved in over the years...

I’ve done sponsored walks and a 24 hour table tennis marathon, but the last real fund raiser I was involved in was a sponsored leg wax. It was in aid of an animal charity, Bunny Burrows, in Richmond. John and Gwen Butler do a tremendous job looking after unwanted rabbits and guinea pigs and rehabilitating them, and I volunteered to get involved in a sponsored leg wax one day in the Market Hall at Richmond. There was nothing to it, really. Just that sort of ripping noise you hear when you lift some Velcro, but no pain.

In fact, the lady who did the leg waxing did such a good job, that Julie, our receptionist at work, was dead jealous for weeks afterwards, and in fact, the back of my leg still seems quite smooth.

We also had a healthy and safety awareness week at work, and it ended with a “dressing down” day in aid of charity. Being hard of hearing, I’m sure my mate Don said “dressing gown” day…

Mind you, like everybody else, I’m full of admiration for the celebs who climbed Kilimanjaro in aid of Comic Relief – going 140 feet up is nothing compared to the 18,000 feet they climbed! I couldn’t help but notice that the celebs paused - not surprisingly - for breath every few hundred yards, while the back up crew casually carried all their gear and equipment as if they were going for a walk around Hamsterley Forest. Wonder if I’ll get altitude sickness?

Training is going well. I’ve done plenty of walking with Lester over the weekend, kept away from the wrong foods, and climbed a fence to get Lester’s ball back after it went on to the road.

Les, our club photographer, is delighted that he’s going up in the cradle with me to take some pics. “You do realise that I get vertigo,” he said. Looks like he’ll have to come back down with me, then.

Friday 13 March

I couldn’t help but notice that next Saturday’s date, the 21st, was of significance to the Mayan people in ancient Mexico.

Next Saturday just happens to coincide with the spring solstice, the first of the year. When the family and I went to Cancun on holiday eight years ago, we went on a trip to Chichen Izza, an old but beautiful Mayan temple in the jungle about a two hour drive away from Cancun.

It’s one of the temples that pop up regularly on the travel programmes, and it’s not too far away from a huge meteor crater. It’s quite a spectacular place, and you can actually walk up the steps of the temple to the top, although the steps are that narrow you have to go up sideways, trying not to look down.

The best way to descend is by shuffling down on your derriere! Audrey said; “I’m not going up there, only a madman would go up there!” It only took about five minutes for me to get to the top – there were no handrails or anything like that. The biggest danger is to those down below, who have to dodge the cameras and personal belongings that the climbers drop!

Our tour guide just happened to be the world’s foremost authority on Chichen Izza and all its background, and he told us that there used to be a human sacrifice at every solstice.

These days, there’s a sort of local holiday, and everybody brings a picnic for an afternoon out. Which handily brings me to the solstice and the Darlo day of action.

A few people have mentioned that they’re going to pop along and watch the “action” 

Please do, pop into town, do some shopping, sponsor the freefall, chuck your loose change into the collection buckets, and enjoy the occasion.

I think I know how those Mayan sacrifices felt now!

Thursday 12 March

In my “Dare Diary” earlier in the week, I mentioned that I’m starting a full training and fitness programme for my 2.5 second marathon.

In a way, it’s like preparing for the Great North Run (no, I’m not doing that), so I’ve got to make sure that my 50-year-old body is at its best, not “past its best” as someone remarked the other day.

Darlington FC's photographer Les Hodge

Some of the young ladies at Ineos where I work have remarked that they think I’ve lost weight recently (just wait until the day of the freefall, I might lose a stone at a crack), so I’ve decided to review my diet.

Should I eat more of Audrey’s chicken casserole? Should I go veggie like our Hayley? Should I share a pizza with our Andrew? What did the great adventurers eat before they set off on their great journeys? Would Captain James Cook, for example, have had a bagel from Morrisons for breakfast on the day he set off sailing around the world, or fish and chips from his favourite shop in Richmond the night before? Did Neil Armstrong trough on chicken korma and loads of rice before he set off for the Moon? 

I’ve got to try and get it right, don’t want an attack of wind when I’m 120 feet up. I’ll have enough to keep in check without that to worry about.

I’m having longer walks with Lester, our faithful family dog. They’ve been planned, unlike when I was covering the Darlo game at Gillingham in deepest Kent last Tuesday night. The Priestfield Stadium is much more advanced than 10 years ago on my last visit, and the press box is well up from ground level. I always take plenty of equipment with me just in case there’s a breakdown of some sort, so I had to clamber up four flights of steps with my metal ISDN box, a holdall and my black information file. “Didn’t you use the lift?” said Les Hodge, our club photographer. “What lift?”, “The one next to the stairs.” Oh well, the exercise did me good.

The sponsorship money is starting to come in, for which I’m very grateful. Some people have donated £20 (thanks Gregg) others have donated £5, but even just a pound is appreciated. And don’t forget, if you turn up at the Market Place on the 21st, you’ll be able to join in the fun/laughter/drama/picking up the pieces.

Wednesday 11 March

I’ve had an insight into what I’m letting myself in for. Can you remember Frank Spencer dressed up as the Angel Gabriel in a Christmas Some Mothers Do Ave Em episode, when he gets stuck on the church spire and has to be rescued by helicopter?

About 15 of us had a fund raising meeting at the club on Monday night, and the two chaps who look after the Powerfan equipment, Andy and Mark, turned up as well. They’re very kindly donating the proceeds from the day to the club, and that could run into quite a few thousand if enough people come along and give it a go.

It’s well worth £20 for the experience of a lifetime, if that’s the way you want to look at it.

We kicked around loads of ideas – including a sponsored aircraft pull (first problem; we need an aircraft, second problem, we need an airfield), raffling the naming rights to one of the stands, a family fun day and a fund raising dinner – and there were quite a few suggestions about what I could say or do as I hurtled towards the ground. Like throwing free tickets into the air, mentioning a sponsor’s name or forthcoming event, all in the space of 2.5 seconds with my breakfast going the other way. Plus, it’s reassuring of Les Hodge, the club photographer, to offer to ride in the cradle with me to make sure that I jump unimpeded.

One thing is obvious, that we’re going to need loads of volunteers to rattle buckets and generally lend a hand over the next two months. There’s a lot of potential functions planned, so if you want to chip in, just mail me on my email address at the bottom of the page and I’ll pass word on.

Anyway, Andy showed a DVD detailing exactly what’s involved. The harness is controlled by the crane operator, who can let you slide down quickly or gently, depending on how brave you feel. I suppose you could pretend to be the girl from the Nimble advert, or Superman. Only problem is, that if the wind suddenly gusts on the day and I’m blown off course, I could end up stuck on the top of St Cuthbert’s Church on the other side of the Market Place!

Ray's daughter Hayley with Lester

Mags from the supporters club, took one look at the advert and said; “It’s been nice knowing you, Ray!” Still no rush of volunteers though, to accompany me, can’t think why...

Tuesday 10 March

I’ve decided that if I’m going to fly through the air at sixty feet per second, then I’ve got to prepare properly for it.

I took our 4-year-old dog, Lester, out for a walk last night, in the fields near our home in Shildon. There’s plenty of room to run about and play, and the field is bisected by a beck. It’s only about two feet wide, and three feet deep.

Like many dogs, Lester loves his tennis ball, and he chases around after it all the time. It’s quite relaxing for me as well, and I must admit, the mobile is switched off or even deliberately left at home.

Trouble is, yours truly wrenched his shoulder a couple of months ago, and a sharp pain races through my shoulder when I try to throw Lester’s ball over arm cricket style. So, I’ve got it throw it underarm instead.

However, when we were walking near the beck, the ball slipped out of my hand when I threw it, and instead of landing on the grass, it landed first bounce in the beck. Bet Andy Murray doesn’t have that problem.

Lester, being one of the most amiable and softest dogs on the planet, decided that he wasn’t jumping in to retrieve it, so he looked at me as if to say “Granddad, you get it.”
Quick as a flash, I thought; “Time for some training.” So with my wellies on, I stood in front of the beck, shouted “Ya Hey” and jumped in two footed. Water everywhere, but at least I got Lester’s ball.

I climbed out, and as I did so, I saw two little old ladies standing nearby, shaking their heads in dismay. Lester looked at them as if to say “I’m not with him.” My daughter, Hayley, who works as a trainer for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, has certainly trained Lester well.

Maybe I should wear wellies on my flight towards the market place?

Monday 9 March

As some listeners might have gathered from our sports programme last Saturday afternoon, I’m going to do a freefall experience, which is a bit like a bungee jump only more comfortable (apparently) on Saturday 21st March in Darlington Market Place.

I’m going to be lifted up to a height of over 120 feet, have a safety harness attached and then leap fearlessly towards the ground.

Ray and his wife Audrey

The flight – if you can call that – will only take 2.5 seconds. I asked the chap who’s operating the “ride”, Andy Fennell who owns the Powerfan (the brand name for the free fall equipment) about my insurance, and he replied; “You sign it half way down.”

I’ve always wanted to do a bungee jump or something like it and I have indulged in some dangerous pastimes before. I’ve done parasailing in Florida, walked underwater in Mexico, travelled on white knuckle roller coasters and once suggested to Hodgy (the former Darlo manager) that the team hadn’t played very well one day...

My 23-year-old son Andrew, was very surprised when I told him what I was going to do. “I didn’t have you down to do something like that, dad," clearly remembering the day when I fell off a chair hanging some curtains in his bedroom one day.

My wife Audrey, is very supportive, and has been telling all of her friends that she’s married a lunatic. “I’ll help you pull yourself together afterwards,” she said.

Audrey’s the one with a fear of heights, then couldn’t wait to get to the top of the Empire State Building in New York when we went there on our silver wedding holiday four years ago.

I suggested to Kevan Smith, the former Darlington captain, that he should maybe join me, he said: “My word, of course not.” At least, it sounded a bit like that.

I think most people have been shocked when I’ve told them, incredulous even. After all, why would an overweight 50-year-old want to fly through the air at 60 feet per second? Well, if it helps to save the Quakers in some small way, then that would be fantastic (Details of how to sponsor me will be printed on this page).

Mind you, there wasn’t exactly a stampede of volunteers. “Think I’ll do the sponsored run instead,” said Karen Glencross from the supporters club.

So like all great sporting occasions, I’m going to prepare a training and fitness programme, and I’ll keep you informed on my progress.

How to help

If you would like to help you can sponsor Ray.

Pop into your local Co-operative Bank and make a payment to the 'Save Darlington FC Limited fund'

Send donations direct to the club at -

The Save Darlington FC Fund
Darlington Arena
Neasham Road
Darlington
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