RESOUNDING victories, a devastating fire and frozen pitches are all featured in a new book about football at Feethams.

Former Darlington FC players, including David Speedie, Ron Greener, Alan Walsh and Fred Barber, have contributed to Farewell to Feethams - a collection of Darlington FC Memories.

The book, written by Ray Simpson and Andrew Wilkinson, marks the end of the team's life at the Feethams ground and its planned move to the new stadium off Neasham Road.

It is published by The Northern Echo and includes a host of black and white photographs from the newspaper's archives as well as images captured by fans over the years.

The cover of the book, which also features photos from Feethams' past, was designed by Steve Whetton, one of The Northern Echo's artists.

The book includes a chapter on memorable matches in the club's history as well as some of the characters involved in the life and times of Darlington FC.

Among those who recounted a story for the book was Ken Lonsdale, Feethams' first public address announcer.

Before he was appointed in 1959, much of the information about a match was passed around by word of mouth, and fans had to rely on the Echo to find out who would be playing on the day.

In those days, the half-time scores in other matches often did not reach Feethams until the second half had started, so the results were written on a sandwich board and paraded around the ground by one of the ball-boys.

Historic moments, such as the team winning the Division Three North Cup in 1934 and a 6-0 victory over Cambridge in 1974, are featured in the book.

Mr Simpson said: "This book is not a history of the club at Feethams, but a dip into it.

"The players featured are not necessarily the best to pull on the Quakers shirt. They were selected purely at random, some because of their major contribution and others because of the different eras in which they played.

"The fans were a mixed bunch too.

"All had a desire to be included, that stands as a tribute to their passion for their team."

The paperback, priced at £7.99, is available from offices of The Northern Echo in Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Durham and Northallerton.