D.A.F.T. - The Story So Far.....

The initial enthusiasm to try and do something to record and preserve the history of the 'Glory Days' of Amateur Football in Durham County, came from Keith Belton and John Phelan. After some discussion Keith and John asked Ken Biggs and Tony Huntington to get involved.

Keith Belton was born in Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland and has been a life-long supporter of that club, attending all the finals Bishops played in during the 1950's. Together with Ken Biggs and Dale Daniel he is also the joint author of 'Witton Park - Forever Paradise ' a book recording the history of the village and some of its personalities. He lives in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees.

John Phelan, a retired Supply Teacher, is the author of a book on the history of Crook Town A.F.C. , for whom he worked as Commercial Manager for 2 years. He played for the Club, and was the proud scorer of a goal on his debut against Bishop Auckland. He is one of only a few who has played both football and cricket for Crook, and currently writes a column for The Northern Echo newspaper.

Ken Biggs is a retired teacher living in Richmond, North Yorkshire, and, as stated earlier, is the joint author of the Witton Park book.

Tony Huntington a former P.E. teacher, Youth Worker and Education Adviser who retired in 1992, now lives in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. His father, Jack Huntington, played for Witton Park when they won the Durham Amateur Cup for the one and only time in 1926, and it was his enthusiasm that led to family trips to Bishop's Wembley finals in the 1950's.

At this stage, the Trust received invaluable help and advice from Julie Hawthorn, who works as Community Heritage Officer for Durham County Council.

After a handful of planning meetings and a successful application to the Lottery Awards-for - All programme in February 2006, the Trust, which was established on 8th September, 2004, began work with its first exhibition in Crook Library in November 2006.

In 2008 the Trust moved into offices which form part of the Locomotion Museum in Shildon.  The postal address is 4 Soho Cottages, Shildon, Co Durham DL4 1PQ.  We are grateful for the efforts of Patrick Conway and Dr George Muirhead, the Manager of the Locomotion Mail Museum, along with Phil Ball of Sedgefield Borough Council.  The office is not currently manned on a regular basis but messages may be left on 01388 772524.

The Line Up

In December 2006, the Trust formalised the Committee. The line-up is as follows:

Keith Belton
Chairman.

Dick Longstaff
 Executive Committee Secretary and Editor of the D.A.F.T. newsletter. Dick played for Bishop Auckland Reserves between 1958 - 61. He is a retired Maths & Accounts Teacher and at one time was the proprietor of a local petrol station.

John Phelan
Press / Publicity Secretary.

Tony Huntington
Secretary.

Geoff Wood
Treasurer and Website Manager.  Played local football with St.Helens Auckland and is a retired Production controller with Electrolux at Spennymoor.

Julie Hawthorn
Cultural & Heritage Officer with Durham County Council.

John Atkinson
Vice-Chairman is the retired Chief Clerk from the County Court, having worked in Darlington, Durham and Stockton. He played football for Bishop Auckland reserves in the 1950's. After managing a local team, John was a Scout for Leeds Utd. between 1968 and 1985.

Barbara Wood

Formerly Diversity Manager at Durham University.  Membership Secretary and involved in the administration of the Trust.

Patrick Conway
A native of Lincolnshire, before retirement in December 2006, Patrick was, for 15 years, the Director of Culture & Leisure for Durham County Council. He is an enthusiastic supporter of Sunderland A.F.C.