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FEATURE : Liechtenstein star enjoying life in Darlington

Not many players can say their fixture list looks like this: Macclesfield away; Germany at home; Azerbaijan away then Port Vale at home.

But in the age of the much-traveled soccer palyer even some unheralded talents are getting around.

All the way to Darlington.

The League Two — or rather, fourth division, English outfit rarely attract the limelight.

Winning the old Third Division (North) in 1925 has been about as good as it gets for The Quakers since their foundation 125 years ago.

But, perhaps in a case of any port in a storm, even Darlington can attract their foreign contingent.

Step forward Liechtenstein international Franz Burgmeier, a 26-year-old winger and star of a 6-0 win at Macclesfield — then rather less noticeable as his miniature country slid to a World Cup qualifier loss to Germany by the same margin.

But, while lilliputian Liechtenstein, ranked 130 in the FIFA standings, may be the only country ever to lose to San Marino they proved they are no joke by managing a goalless draw earlier this month in Azerbaijan and also unfeasibly held Portugal 2-2 at home in Vaduz in a 2006 World Cup qualifier.

On that occasion, Burgmeier was up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Burgmeier is now an experienced international, having won more than 40 caps.

He sampled the atmosphere at Old Trafford, featuring in the side beaten 2-0 by England in a 2003 European Championships qualifier.

After Swiss club Basel released him this summer he decided he had to seek pastures new.

Darlington offered him a trial — as they had in 2002 to the rather more celebrated Colombian former Newcastle star Faustino Asprilla, who shunned a medical — and “two days later I was there.”

“The lifestyle is different from Switzerland but the people have been very friendly and the players are really helping me. I like the British lifestyle. They are nice people, they don’t worry too much about things,” Burgmeier told the BBC.

A goal in the recent win over Port Vale cemented relations with the fans and coach Dave Penney is impressed.

“He can play on both the left and the right, and is certainly a threat,” Penney says.

Promotion is now Burgmeier’s dream with Darlington currently four points off third spot in the table.

And he believes the northern England club is going places.

“I think Darlington should be in a higher division,” he said. “Look at the stadium. The club should be in at least League One or the Championship.”
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