WeAreDarlington
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2015
- Messages
- 40
- Reaction score
- 13
- Points
- 8
- Supports
- Darlington
We now look ahead to a season in the Evo-Stik Premier following promotion from the Evo-Stik Division One North.
Management:
Manager: Martin Gray
Assistant Manager: Brian Atkinson
Coach: Sean Gregan
Goalkeeping Coach: Jim Provett
Club-Scout/Secretary: Harry Dunn
First-Team Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Peter Jameson, Mark Bell.
Defenders:
Gary Brown (C), Chris Hunter, Alan White, Paul Weldon, Terry Galbraith, Ian Watson.
Midfielders:
Adam Mitchell, Nelson Mota, Tom Portas, Leon Scott (VC), Stephen Thompson.
Forwards:
Graeme Armstrong, Nathan Cartman, Amar Purewal, David Dowson, Liam Hatch.
In regards to players coming in, Martin Gray is already meeting with transfer targets this week. The only news that we have heard so far is that Alan White has signed a new 1 year contract with the club. Other players contracted include Peter Jameson, Adam Mitchell, Stephen Thompson, Graeme Armstrong and Nathan Cartman.
In terms of players leaving, goalkeeper Mark Bell could be retiring this summer. Paul Weldon has agreed a deal with Minnesota United in the USA for next season, and also question marks both stand over Nelson Mota and Liam Hatch. I think what also is clear is that bigger clubs could potentially be interested in several of our better players; we have seen it happen previously with Joe Tait moving to Gateshead and Nathan Thomas moving to Plymouth.
Amar Purewal currently has an injured knee and is likely to return around the August/September 15' time. It has also emerged that Graeme Armstrong's pancreas has sliced in half following a collision with Brig's goalkeeper on Saturday. Here's hoping for a quick recovery although the damage doesn't sound too good.
Reserves/Youth-Team:
It has been announced that our new Reserve Team has been accepted into the Wearside League Development Division which will consist of 18 teams ranging across County Durham, Teesside and Tyne & Wear. Meanwhile our entire youth set-up continues to go from strength to strength as proven by numerous youth players breaking into the first-team sporadically last season.
Off The Pitch:
Blackwell Meadows:
Our move back to Darlington is well underway and development at Blackwell Meadows should start at the end of May 15'. The finances are already in place and planning permission has been granted. I think now it is just a case of when the work will be completed, although as a matter of precaution we have signed a deal with Bishop Auckland to play our home games at Heritage Park temporarily IF the infrastructure at Blackwell Meadows isn't ready for the start of the 2015/2016 season.
We're looking for Blackwell Meadows to have an initial capacity of 2,500 with potential to expand in the future.
Debt:
The club debt stood at £44k as of December 14', and 5 months down the line it will be an even lower figure. This is another hurdle that has held back the club over the previous 3 years along with playing 12 miles out of town but we're slowly getting over the line.
Overall the club is in a much healthier position and at the moment I believe we're only operating at a fraction of our potential due to several constraints. The much anticipated wait for our move back to Darlington is almost over and we know the move will introduce several new opportunities. Not only that but we will kick-off in August in a higher league with bigger and better clubs.
An interesting season ahead.
Management:
Manager: Martin Gray
Assistant Manager: Brian Atkinson
Coach: Sean Gregan
Goalkeeping Coach: Jim Provett
Club-Scout/Secretary: Harry Dunn
First-Team Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Peter Jameson, Mark Bell.
Defenders:
Gary Brown (C), Chris Hunter, Alan White, Paul Weldon, Terry Galbraith, Ian Watson.
Midfielders:
Adam Mitchell, Nelson Mota, Tom Portas, Leon Scott (VC), Stephen Thompson.
Forwards:
Graeme Armstrong, Nathan Cartman, Amar Purewal, David Dowson, Liam Hatch.
In regards to players coming in, Martin Gray is already meeting with transfer targets this week. The only news that we have heard so far is that Alan White has signed a new 1 year contract with the club. Other players contracted include Peter Jameson, Adam Mitchell, Stephen Thompson, Graeme Armstrong and Nathan Cartman.
In terms of players leaving, goalkeeper Mark Bell could be retiring this summer. Paul Weldon has agreed a deal with Minnesota United in the USA for next season, and also question marks both stand over Nelson Mota and Liam Hatch. I think what also is clear is that bigger clubs could potentially be interested in several of our better players; we have seen it happen previously with Joe Tait moving to Gateshead and Nathan Thomas moving to Plymouth.
Amar Purewal currently has an injured knee and is likely to return around the August/September 15' time. It has also emerged that Graeme Armstrong's pancreas has sliced in half following a collision with Brig's goalkeeper on Saturday. Here's hoping for a quick recovery although the damage doesn't sound too good.
Reserves/Youth-Team:
It has been announced that our new Reserve Team has been accepted into the Wearside League Development Division which will consist of 18 teams ranging across County Durham, Teesside and Tyne & Wear. Meanwhile our entire youth set-up continues to go from strength to strength as proven by numerous youth players breaking into the first-team sporadically last season.
Off The Pitch:
Blackwell Meadows:
Our move back to Darlington is well underway and development at Blackwell Meadows should start at the end of May 15'. The finances are already in place and planning permission has been granted. I think now it is just a case of when the work will be completed, although as a matter of precaution we have signed a deal with Bishop Auckland to play our home games at Heritage Park temporarily IF the infrastructure at Blackwell Meadows isn't ready for the start of the 2015/2016 season.
We're looking for Blackwell Meadows to have an initial capacity of 2,500 with potential to expand in the future.
Debt:
The club debt stood at £44k as of December 14', and 5 months down the line it will be an even lower figure. This is another hurdle that has held back the club over the previous 3 years along with playing 12 miles out of town but we're slowly getting over the line.
Overall the club is in a much healthier position and at the moment I believe we're only operating at a fraction of our potential due to several constraints. The much anticipated wait for our move back to Darlington is almost over and we know the move will introduce several new opportunities. Not only that but we will kick-off in August in a higher league with bigger and better clubs.
An interesting season ahead.