Rocketman Elton blazes star trail
8:01am Monday 7th July 2008
By David Roberts »
OFFICIALS are drawing up a "hit list" of international stars they hope to bring to the North-East after the outstanding success of Elton John's concert at the weekend.
More than 17,000 fans packed the Darlington Arena to watch Sir Elton's performance on Saturday night.
Management believe the success of the show has proven Darlington Football Cub's stadium can host some of the biggest names in the entertainment world - and they are drawing up a list of worldclass entertainers they hope to bring to the North-East.
A spokesman said: "We will be looking at some of the biggest names around. We've set the bar unbelievably high with Elton John and now we've got to top it."
Last night, the club won the backing of council bosses and community leaders delighted by Sir Elton's performance.
Immediately after the event, club chairman George Houghton said: "It was an incredible evening. Walking around the stadium before the concert was so exciting, there was such a buzz. Even the weather was kind to us, eventually.
"Sir Elton put on an amazing show and I am so proud for Darlington Football Club and the whole town that we were able to welcome a world-class performer.
"The whole event went very smoothly and the park-andride was a great success.
"The town's economy and profile have benefitted tremendously and I want to pay tribute to everyone who worked so hard to make the concert the success it undoubtedly was. I hope this is just the first.
"Elton John was magnificent and we aim to try and bring the very best performers to Darlington in the future."
His views were echoed by Darlington Mayor Ian Haszeldine.
He said: "Hopefully the success of last night will bring further success to the town.
North-East MEP Stephen Hughes, who lives in Darlington, also attended the concert with his wife, Cyndi, a borough councillor, and their two children.
He said: "It's great to see the stadium being put to this sort of use. It's a hell of a resource for the town, so we really should utilise it."
Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who was in the audience, said: "This proves that Darlington is more than capable of staging a world-class entertainment event and now the challenge is on to build on the success and bring more top-class performers to the town."
A spokeswoman for the club said: "The club hasn't started looking at names (for future concerts) yet, but it's fair to say it's got to be someone who's world-class.
"We've started really high with Elton John and we want to go on from there.
"We hope to make this an annual event as there is this window after the end of the football season which allows us to hold these big events."
The stadium was permitted to hold the concert last month after Darlington Borough Council agreed to lift a crowd limit of 6,000 people.
Your Say YourNorth-East
LESLEY HISLOP, aycliffe village says...
10:48am Mon 7 Jul 08
Elaine Stoker, Darlington says...
11:00am Mon 7 Jul 08
B, Darlington says...
11:13am Mon 7 Jul 08
cllr. mark burton, Harrowgate Hill says...
11:35am Mon 7 Jul 08
cllr. mark burton, Harrowgate Hill says...
11:38am Mon 7 Jul 08
A, Darlington says...
11:38am Mon 7 Jul 08
The buses were that successful that my party walked back into town !!!
Read the comments before you make statements like that Mr. Houghton.
S, Darlington says...
12:22pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Let's see more of the same!
Simon, London says...
12:22pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Think laterally before you make statements like that.
SALLY KAYE, coventry says...
12:44pm Mon 7 Jul 08
My Carlisle partner (not that keen to go in the first place) was the first to admit to a 'great night'.
More please - I'll travel that far again!
Evelyn Hayes, says...
12:45pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Diane/Julie, Darlington says...
1:01pm Mon 7 Jul 08
A, Darlington says...
1:16pm Mon 7 Jul 08
People were asked to queue inside the ground for buses outside the ground and, naturally, it was a free for all. Comments were posted yesterday about the park & ride at Carlisle (another concert) being superior and a few months ago I went to Twickenham - 3 times the crowd and absolutely no problems.
If Darlington want to take this seriously to put on other events then park & ride wants a good hard look.
I'd be interested to hear from all those I saw walking along the ring road - why?
Sue, says...
1:24pm Mon 7 Jul 08
However, I was disappointed that the first few songs weren't loud enough to drown out the noise from people having conversations all around us. People were really rude - we paid good money to hear Elton John sing, not someone's holiday plans!
I would also like to comment on the Park & Ride facility. Great getting to the stadium BUT the return was a shambles!! Buses didn't turn up on time. So people were spilling out onto the road. Then people were fighting amongst each other, insulting stewards, buses didn't have the route displayed on them, people were pushing and shoving to get on buses. At one point i was pinned up against the front of a bus. There were no queues in place or anything - there could have been a serious accident, especially with the amount of older people around! Where were the police and Stewards? It was chaos.
If another event like this is to be held, the organisation of the park and ride AFTER the event MUST improve. There also needs to be a greater presence of Stewards and Police.
Dawnie, Darlington says...
1:28pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Our party of 7 thoroughly enjoyed show and were dancing on the football pitch.
Ann, Darlington says...
1:45pm Mon 7 Jul 08
A wrote:A, from your comment I gather none of your group were abled bodied with no ailments,etc since you choose to walk. Therefore, with this assumption, the journey from football ground to town centre is hardly difficult to walk, not hills to climb, straight down Neasham Road turning left onto Yarm Road, under the railway bridge and straight into town. It should take approximately 10-15 minutes.
Mr. Houghton says "The whole event went very smoothly and the park-andride was a great success. The buses were that successful that my party walked back into town !!! Read the comments before you make statements like that Mr. Houghton.
I guess in the age of the motorised vehicles some people tend to forget how to walk these days.
Ann, Darlington says...
1:53pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Susanne, Newton Aycliffe says...
2:22pm Mon 7 Jul 08
A, Darlington says...
2:25pm Mon 7 Jul 08
I also did wonder at all the people walking along the ring road. Where had they parked? Did park & ride work for them?
Very much agree with Sue's comments above and hope those concerned will take notice.
dave, boro says...
2:45pm Mon 7 Jul 08
I used the park and ride from the town centre,was ok getting there, but the return was a shambles,i walked back (nice night),but seeing the queues outside the stadium made our decision easier,inside the stadium getting refreshments was absolutely abysmal queing for 20-30 mins,2 /3 staff serving,there were more staff just stood watching from the pie shop ,
dave, boro says...
2:45pm Mon 7 Jul 08
I used the park and ride from the town centre,was ok getting there, but the return was a shambles,i walked back (nice night),but seeing the queues outside the stadium made our decision easier,inside the stadium getting refreshments was absolutely abysmal queing for 20-30 mins,2 /3 staff serving,there were more staff just stood watching from the pie shop ,
dave, boro says...
2:45pm Mon 7 Jul 08
I used the park and ride from the town centre,was ok getting there, but the return was a shambles,i walked back (nice night),but seeing the queues outside the stadium made our decision easier,inside the stadium getting refreshments was absolutely abysmal queing for 20-30 mins,2 /3 staff serving,there were more staff just stood watching from the pie shop ,
dave, boro says...
2:45pm Mon 7 Jul 08
I used the park and ride from the town centre,was ok getting there, but the return was a shambles,i walked back (nice night),but seeing the queues outside the stadium made our decision easier,inside the stadium getting refreshments was absolutely abysmal queing for 20-30 mins,2 /3 staff serving,there were more staff just stood watching from the pie shop ,
Joollee, Darlington says...
2:59pm Mon 7 Jul 08
cheryl, Hull says...
3:17pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Must admit the lack of bar staff caused delays in service and should be looked into for future concerts. Also, when we left the stadium the stewards were sending everyone in the same direction, even though we were near the exit to the left, so we had to walk around the full stadium which did cause a backup in the crowd. People were confused of where to join the queues going for the park and ride buses and people aiming for the exit. I myself had a fall because everyone was so close together and you could not see the end of the grass verge and tumbled on the kerb. Being from out of town were were not sure what direction the town centre was so we walked with the flow and asked locals on how to get to our hotel and everyone was very helpfull. Roll on future events to visit again.
Mark, Middleton St George says...
3:51pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Alec White, Darlington says...
3:57pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Sue, Durham says...
5:13pm Mon 7 Jul 08
big alf, dunstable /bedfordshire says...
5:17pm Mon 7 Jul 08
A wrote:A,?. were you there, please temper your comments ,i had a great evening and the park and ride were good ,remember the numbers involved a first for darlington football club,and a very well organized event,after travelling up we found it first classand no problem at all. the show was'nt bad either
Further comments on the park & ride. People were asked to queue inside the ground for buses outside the ground and, naturally, it was a free for all. Comments were posted yesterday about the park & ride at Carlisle (another concert) being superior and a few months ago I went to Twickenham - 3 times the crowd and absolutely no problems. If Darlington want to take this seriously to put on other events then park & ride wants a good hard look. I\\\\\\\'d be interested to hear from all those I saw walking along the ring road - why?
no it was brilliant.stop **** on minor faults,this was a well organized event
by all concerned. big alf
"Z", darlo says...
6:32pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Diane, Norton says...
11:34pm Mon 7 Jul 08
fiona, norton says...
11:57pm Mon 7 Jul 08
tony jewers, high grange says...
12:01am Tue 8 Jul 08
The Cat, Darlington says...
12:02am Tue 8 Jul 08
Your sayYourNorth-East
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harry, darlington says...
9:23am Mon 7 Jul 08
lets hope we do get some more