DARWEN FC v NORTHWICH VICS

ISUZU FA VASE SECOND ROUND QUALIFYING

SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 3.00pm

This Saturday the Vics are again away in a cup competition, as they travel up to Darwen FC who are currently in the North West Counties Division 1 North.
The Club was originally founded way back in 1870 , and played one of the first ever games under floodlights in 1878. In 1891 Darwen were elected to the Football League following expansion of the League to fourteen teams. League rules meant that teams could not have the same coloured kits and as Notts County had already taken black and white stripes, Darwen adopted a salmon pink top from which their nickname "The Salmoners" originates. They also hold the dubious distinction of being beaten 12-0 by West Bromwich Albion in March 1892, a losing margin that has never been surpassed in the League's top division since! That season they were relegated becoming the first Club to suffer in-league relegation. In 1982 , they became founder members of the North West Counties League, and remained their until the suffered Liquidation in 2008. Almost Immediately, a new club Darwen AFC were formed and they joined The West Lancashire League in May 2009 from where they soon won promotion back to The North West Counties. The newly formed Club eventually changed their name back to Darwen FC in June 2022.
They have made an encouraging start to the season, winning 5 of their 9 matches so far which include good wins over AFC Blackpool , Garstang and Steeton , however they suffered a 6 - 0 drubbing against Colne last Tuesday! . They currently lie 5th in the fledgling league table. Last season they finished 3rd in the League

Vics will be looking to bounce back after their narrow FA Cup defeat to Atherton Collieries last weekend, and get back on a new road to Wembley. Vics last played Darwen back in July 2024 where they lost 4 - 3 in a pre-season friendly , though they did record two comprehensive 5 - 0 victories over them back in 2017/18 in the League.
Recent signing Luc Ferry will be cup-tied after playing for New Mills against the Vics in the first match of the Vase.

Let's get down to Darwen and cheer the lads onto another victory as we March to the Arch

Ticket prices are as below :

Adults - £7.00
Concs - £4.00
Children - £2.00 accompanied by an adult

Ground address is :
Darwen FC
The Multevo Group Anchor Ground
Anchor Road
DARWEN
Lancashire
BB3 0BB

The Clubhouse had a fully licensed bar, with the usual hot food available . There is a large car park adjacent to the ground.

Directions :Take the M6 North and then take the M65 to junction 4. At traffic lights turn left onto A666 (signposted Darwen). After approx 1/2 mile turn left between Anchor Car sales and the Anchor Pub. Bear right and ground is on the left.