08/01/66: Darlington (H)

This was one of the most remarkable of all the many remarkable games which I was privileged to watch in the 1960s.

Before the match, nobody could have expected that final score, as both teams were going so well in Division 4. Torquay actually played quite well and dominated possession, but Tony Moor was one of the best goalkeepers in the lower divisions at that time, and Ron Greener and Joe Jacques were a formidable pair in central defence.

The key to Darlington's crushing victory was the way they played, and it is only now, looking at the centre page of that programme after so many years, that I realise that they had a tactical gameplan which was very unusual and revolutionary in those days, namely attacking on the break.

In all the previous games I had witnessed since 1954, forwards would always remain upfield when an attack broke down and rely on defenders to regain possession and get the ball back up to them.

In this game, Darlington played deep in their own half for the most part and counter attacked in a kind of 4-4-2 formation. The 'two' were Bob Cummings, who seemed unable to miss on the day, and George McGeachie.

I watched the game from the rails on the Pop side that day and can remember that McGeachie left Alan Smith standing time and again with his electric pace. Behind these two was an outstanding, workaholic player in Alan Sproates, one of the best midfield creators in the lower divisions in that era.

I have had to look up the identity of the Darlington manager at the time, one Dick Duckworth apparently, and although I had not heard of him at the time, and have no knowledge of him now, he must have had something special about him to have worked out that piece of tactical genius.

Robin Stubbs must have been injured that day, as he certainly didn't play and his absence always left a gaping hole in our attacking options.

As Timbo points out in his following thread, it was curious that we progressed so well in Division 3 the following season, and yet Darlington and Doncaster Rovers, fellow promotees in 1965/66, both went crashing back to Division 4.

None of the three teams added to their playing staffs in any significant way. In those days there was no conception that it would be necessary to stregthen teams after promotion to a higher division.

I note from appearance records, however, that Darlington were denied the services of Bob Cummings by injury for most of the season, and also that the legendary Alick Jeffrey was missing for Doncaster for long periods.

Perhaps the answer lies simply in the fact that, in Frank O'Farrell, we were fortunate enough to have, for three marvellous seasons, one of the most forward-looking and astute young managers of the time.