Houghton outlines his goal for success

7:35am Saturday 17th May 2008

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If things go well for Darlington FC today, the chairman has made a promise he may live to regret.

David Roberts speaks to George Houghton ahead of the crucial play-off match and learns of the potential new signings for the club.

TODAY'S match against Rochdale will be the last time this season that George Houghton will be cheering his team on from the stands.

Even if the Quakers get through to the final at Wembley, an operation in the US means that Mr Houghton will not be able to make the trip to London - a situation he is not best pleased about.

"I'm absolutely sick. I'm very disappointed," he said. "Obviously, my son and all the directors will be going.

"I have my own private jet and would get there if I could, but I just can't make it.

"But I'll be able to watch it on satellite television, so I'll still see the match.

"It would be brilliant to make the final. There's only one Wembley, it's the greatest place in the world. It's just unbelievable."

The fact that today will be the last time this season that Mr Houghton will see the Quakers play in the flesh could have led to him making the following promise.

"If they win tomorrow, I'll put on a strip and I'll play with George Luke," he said.

Whether Mr Luke, a fellow director, is aware of this pledge remains to be seen, but it gives an indication of Mr Houghton's pride at what the club has achieved.

He has always maintained that Darlington has the potential to be a Championship side and this afternoon's match could see them take the first step towards achieving that ambition.

If they do manage to make the step up, Mr Houghton says he believes the infrastructure is there to compete with League One clubs.

He said: "I still have a vision for the future of the club and I am committed to seeing that through to 2010, which I have always said I would.

"I am not a great believe in having expensive players. We are bringing in youth players, we had a 15-year-old play the other day, and we have a few indications of how well they are doing.

"They are coming up behind the seniors and doing fantastic.

"There are some really good teams in League One next year and I want to see crowds of between 10,000 and 12,000, which I think we can achieve."

Although earlier this season he called for more fans to attend games, the recent interest in the club as it made its play-off bid, proves to him that larger crowds can be achieved.

He said: "I'm very proud of the management, the players and all the fans that were there last Saturday.

It was a real team effort and fantastic to be going away with a slight advantage.

"I am delighted that 2,000 fans are going to be travelling down to Rochdale to cheer the team on.

"It will be a fantastic day and I applaud the loyal supporters.

They have stuck with the team and I'm sure they will make as much noise as possible.

"I hope they will be real ambassadors for the club and the town."