DARLINGTON FC’S die-hard fans braved the elements to welcome their hometown heroes in style tonight (Friday, April 29).

The unseasonal weather did nothing to put off hundreds of loyal fans who joined the Quakers in a huge celebration of the team’s triple triumph – their recent 7-1 victory over Whitby Town securing them championship silverware and their third promotion in four years.

Excited crowds gathered in Darlington’s Market Square to wait for the championship squad, who wound their way slowly through the town from Blackwell Meadows.

As they travelled to the town centre, 12-year-old singer Olivia Kate Smith entertained waiting fans with a powerful performance.

Word of the team’s imminent arrival had children running in droves to greet their sporting heroes as excited chanting spread among the crowd.

Cheers greeted the jubilant team as they rolled into the square, waving and dancing aboard an open-topped bus, cherished Evo-Stick Premier League trophy held aloft as Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ blasted through the rain.

The champions were greeted by Darlington’s mayor, Cllr Tom Nutt as they filed onto the stage, beaming with pride.

Manager Martin Gray praised his lads for triumphing over adversity and coming out on top of a season blighted by poor weather.

He said the pivotal Whitby game would never be forgotten, adding: “This season was a challenge, with the bad weather and 14 games called off since Christmas.

“A 7-1 victory was amazing but the best news of all is that we’re coming home.

“That means everything – we’re a football club that’s played away from home for four years and to bring the team back to Darlington is really exciting.”

Hat-trick hero Graeme Armstrong, whose goals helped the team beat his former club Whitby, was met with chants of ‘There’s only one Graeme Armstrong’.

He said the result had been something from his wildest dreams but was deserved, adding: “It’s been a fantastic season and an absolute pleasure to play with these lads.”

Life-long supporter Margaret Boyd, 80, was thrilled to welcome the team back to Darlington, along with her son Trevor, who said: “That the team have been resurrected and saved is great for the fans and great for the town.”

Five-year-old Macey Fenton was excited to see her favourite players while dad Steven Fenton, 31, said the team’s promotion meant the world to him.

Fans joined the team in singing along to Queen's We Are the Champions before Cllr Nutt summed up the event by concluding: “Every town needs a successful football team and we’ve got one.”