This week’s pub-guide is something of a confessional, as back in the early to mid 90’s I used to be a bit of a closet Darlo watcher (wouldn’t go so far as to say fan, although I did once get quite excited when Phil Brumwell passed to one of his own team).

Back then the delights of Darlo was one of football’s best kept secrets. A ramshackle town centre ground within walking range of some great pubs, a fabulous Victorian station and the world’s cheapest chip-shop.

Cheapness was certainly the order of the day, and to that end Hogan’s bar outside the station was what the Darlington trip was all about. It is still ludicrously cheap, and despite its somewhat dodgy reputation is one of my favourite pubs of all time. Spacious bar, friendly staff, big screen and a crazy juke box that used to have tunes like the theme to Coronation Street.

If sepia-walled eccentricity flops your mop and you want a cheap drink near the station then I guess look no further. However….like all establishments of this type with Hogan’s you can never be quite sure what you are going to get. Cheap drink attracts life’s bottom feeders unfortunately, and its proximity to the station can bring its own problems on a match-day, so proceed with caution. If you have shiny shoes the chances are you’ll be mistaken for a policeman, if you’re talking to somebody with shiny shoes the chances are he is one, its that kind of place.

However, if Hogan’s is having an off day please don’t be tempted into The Speedwell further down towards Victoria Road towards the town, its name is spookily apt. In fact there isn’t really any need to go into the town now of course the football ground isn’t there anymore but if you do then my recommendation would be the not so aptly named “Quaker Coffee House”, a splendid real ale bar.

Like their not so favourite cousins from Hartlepool the Darlo fans have been busy on the message board with information about bars at the new ground, and apparently Bar 66 at the stadium is the pick, boasting both a big screen for the early kick-off and a warm welcome for away fans. Once inside the ground you have the choice of Smiths or Fosters from the concourse, but hey that’s not bad for division 4 where beer is only available in a handful of stadia.

Then its a short journey back to mine for free beer, well for me anyway!!.

The rest, have a safe trip home, and for those staying in Newcastle enjoy your night out.