THE terrace chant “You must have come in a taxi” proved accurate for a group of hardy Darlington fans who were among a handful of supporters to make the trip to Cheltenham last night.

For Gavin Ellis, a Darlington taxi driver, drove himself and four of his friends to the Quakers’ League Two game with Cheltenham Town in his own cab after the club’s supporters’ coach was cancelled because of a lack of interest.

The five were among just 42 Darlington fans who made the 450-mile round trip for last night’s game.

The already relegated club’s support has dwindled at both home and away games this season following a spell in administration, the economic downturn and a host of long-distance trips.

Earlier this season, when the Quakers played Torquay United away just before Christmas, the coach was cancelled for the first time in 20 years.

On that occasion, a group of fans made their own way for the 705-mile round trip, many in a variety of fancy dress costumes, only for their side to lose 5-0.

Last night’s game was the third successive away match and came only three days after the South Coast trip to Bournemouth.

Mr Ellis, who picked up the four fellow fans at 1.30pm, said: “It’s my own taxi. I’m a taxi driver by trade. Our support has dwindled that much it has come to this.

“I thought it related to the song ‘You must have come in a taxi’.”

Mr Ellis, 49, from Darlington, went to his first Quakers game in 1970 – a League Cup replay against Doncaster Rovers at their old ground, Feethams.

Since then he has been to more than 100 grounds following the Quakers, including nonleague grounds and pre-season tours to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man.

During the Eighties, he also visited a number of top flight grounds with Newcastle United in a bid to join the exclusive 92 Club.

Mr Ellis said: “One time when I went to Cheltenham during the (former chairman) George Reynolds era I was one of only 17 on the night.

“I’ve not missed a game since March 2001 when Gary Bennett was manager for a game against Barnet. I was saving up for a taxi at the time.”