Darlington FC Women have been promoted to the North East League after initial disappointment, stepping in to take their place following another team’s withdrawal.
The top two clubs were promoted from the Durham Premier Division, but the third-placed Quakers were initially informed by the FA that their application had been unsuccessful.
However, with one club in the NEWRL deciding not to continue, an invitation was made to Darlington to join the league, which was accepted.
Chief Executive Officer David Johnston told darlingtonfc.co.uk: “All of the efforts of [manager] Shaun MacKenzie, the other coaches and the players have finally been made worthwhile.
“They have all worked so hard to win promotion. I know how disappointed they were when they finished so close two seasons ago and again in the season just ended, so to finally win promotion is a deserved reward for all their hard work. They have now got a good solid platform to build on.“
Manager Shaun MacKenzie, who started the team in 2021, said: “To receive the news of promotion, I am over the moon. I needed to see it in writing before I believed it. We have worked so hard over the past five seasons to get out of the Durham FA league and I feel we fully deserve it.
“We nearly won promotion at the first time of asking, finishing fourth in our inaugural 2021/22 season. Since then, we have been up there and thereabouts pushing for promotion in the past four seasons, never finishing below fifth!
“We thought we had done it in the 2023/24 season after finishing second. But it wasn’t to be and that was a huge blow to myself and the players. But we picked ourselves up, rebuilt and went again. It’s fantastic news for the whole town.
“We knew we had given ourselves a slim chance finishing third this season and we are just very grateful that an additional vacancy arose and we jumped at the opportunity. We look forward to building on the solid foundations that we have already built and competing at the next level in the pyramid.”
Captain Aimee Dagnall was equally delighted, and said; “As captain of Darlington FC Women, I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has achieved since its establishment.
“This promotion is something we can all be proud of, but it’s only the beginning. I’m excited for the new season ahead and ready to embrace the challenges that come with it.
“Most of all, there isn’t a better group of girls that this could have happened to. Every player has earned this moment and I’m delighted to celebrate with them. Enjoy it, be proud of what we’ve achieved and let’s see what the next chapter brings,”
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