A LOYAL Darts football fan has celebrated 80 years of support for his home club.

Great-grandad Gordon Davis, 85, from Norris Way, Crayford, was given a plaque by the club in recognition of his enthusiasm for the team.

He was taken to his first Dartford Football Club match by his dad when he was only five, back in 1921.

Speaking about what drew him to the team, Gordon, who attended Dartford Church of England school, in West Hill, and was later deputy hospital administrator at West Hill Hospital said: "It's the sense of community which drew me to the Darts.

"There was no radio or TV at the time, so people were much more drawn to their local team.

"It's a shame people support the bigger clubs now. But that's the way of the world.

"It's an easier place to get around, people stretch their horizons and feel they can pick and choose."

The best game Gordon watched was when the club played Derby County in the 1930s. They were in the first division at the time. The Darts were 2-0 up in the fist half, but lost 3-2 in the end.

His favourite local player was Fred Dell, who was spotted during the match against Derby County and transferred to West Ham for the princely sun of £1,250.

He added: "The skills of the players have improved but it's hard for the club as a whole to go up the league ladder.

There's always a hope we'll make it to the third division."

November 26, 2001 18:30