"It was great to see so many Darlo supporters at our pre season friendly against AFC Bilbrook. There must have been 50 die hard fans supporting Andy and the team in their first game. In particular it was good to see Brian Lloyd back on his feet with his dad Graham. Brian a long time supporter sustained a nasty knee ligament injury in a Charity game at The Paycare Ground at the end of last season.

Brian, very generously and kindly gave me a copy of Jack Burkitt's Testimonial programme Nottingham Forest v Malmo played at The City Ground Nottingham on 6 November 1961. for the oldies amongst us the Forest line -up included several well known names from the past namely Peter Grummitt, Bobby McKinlay, Colin Addison, Geoff Vowden and of course Jack Burkitt.

For those players and supporters new to the club, our new facebook and website followers or for those who know little about our history you will probably be asking yourself who is Jack Burkitt?

Well Jack Burkitt was one of 6 FA Cup winners who played for Darlaston and also played for Nottingham Forest more than 500 times. He was born in Wednesbury and played for Darlaston for two seasons before transferring to Forest in 1946 for a then club record fee of £500 (about £25k today). Not only was he an FA Cup winner he was an FA Cup winning captain and lifted the famous trophy in 1959 after Forest beat Luton 2-1. His manager on the day was also a former Darlaston player an ex England captain Billy Walker. Brian tells me his great grandad William also a Darlaston player knew Walker and visited his home numerous times.

Other FA Cup winners who played for Darlo are Bert Trentham (WBA 1931), Guy Wharton (Portsmouth 1939), norman Deeley (Wolves 1960), Billy walker (Aston Villa 1920) and Tommy Barber who scored the only and winning goal for Aston Villa in the 1913 final against Sunderland in front of 122,000 spectators).

So to Brian and Graham Lloyd I say thank you for your magnificent gesture in giving to me this very special programme , and for their magnificent support for the club, home and away over the years. To the current squad of players I say, there have been many great players who have worn the blue and white of Darlo so please wear the shirt with pride and do the club and town proud".

Neil Chambers

Photo Shows Graham & Brian Lloyd holding the Wednesbury Charity Cup and team photograph