WE NEED TO KICK ON AND FOCUS
Let’s concentrate on matters on the field
“WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CONCENTRATE ON THINGS ON THE NOT“PITCH AND WORRY ABOUT THE OTHER THINGS
ARE the events and the turmoil at the end of last season now fully behind you and forgotten about? Yes it definitely took some recovering from and it was very, very frustrating and it was also very hard to accept after all of the hard work and effort that was put in on the pitch especially by the players. It was a tough summer after the season ended and there is no getting away from that. But, it’s important that we put the disappointing events of last season behind us and the frustration they brought and instead concentrate on things ahead of us and not what has happened in the past. It’s important that we concentrate on things on the pitch and not worry ourselves about the other things. Having said that though, how difficult has it been to put the frustrations of last season out of your mind? It’s been very hard throughout the summer. It was tough to accept that you and the players have done your job on the pitch but then other things take over. However, it is what it is and we have to make sure we kick on this season and be focused on this season and nothing else should be on our minds. I was hurt by what happened at the end of last season but you can’t change what has happened, instead just look ahead and be positive about this season. There were some rumours that you were going to quit Darlington. How close were you to leaving the club after the end of last season? No, not at all. This is our club and we have rebuilt this club. Me, the team and the fans and the players who have come and gone, we have all had a part to play in this club. I’ve had opportunities to go elsewhere but never have I wanted to leave Darlington Football Club. I have right from day one and have always just wanted the right support and I believe that off the pitch things are now in position and we have to kick on and make that count. The stadium issues of last season are well documented. How confident are you that the same problems will not materialise once again this season? Well I have been told that everything will be fine and is in hand, but it’s important that they follow that through and make sure it is definitely fine. There is a strong structure at Darlington Football Club and we have a group of people working very hard to put things right
now. There are some rumours of potential new investors coming into the club. Can you elaborate on this? The club definitely needs that investment and that goes together with a really strong fan base also. Both of these are vital and both are much-needed and go hand-in-hand in my opinion. You have strengthened the squad ahead of the start of this season. How satisfied are you with the overall standard of the squad at your disposal? I’m happy with the squad and I am really happy that we also got everybody fit for the start of the season. I’m pleased with how Mark Beck and James Caton have started as a striking partnership and they have been a real handful for the opposition. Any player niggles from the summer? We’ve had to patch up some of the players at the start of the season as they all haven’t had a full pre-season but that’s how it goes sometimes. I’m also satisfied with how the new signings have applied themselves and started at the club and it’s a good sign for the future. I was really pleased with the warm-up matches against Gateshead and Guiseley ahead of the season start and I think those two match- es set us up nicely for the challenges ahead once the season commenced. How difficult will it be to keep everyone happy, particularly those players who are not playing regularly? It’s all about Darlington Football Club, the players know that and I know that. The club comes first, ahead of individuals and we all know that, so it is something that we have to accept. Fylde were the dominant force last season, but without them do you feel Darlington’s task has been made easier in terms of promotion this season? The division this season is even stronger despite Fylde not being there. Salford have the power to spend as they have shown and York City with their Football League experience will be a force too. I think it’s a very tough league this time and it’s as tough as last year, if not a better standard and even harder this time around. You played Salford on the opening day of the season and beat them 2-0. Do you think they are vindicated as favourites to win the league? We played them at a good time, but regardless of that we knew it would be one of the toughest games of the season. I was pleased that the fixture against Salford came out so early in the season. Salford will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. There is no question about that. The amount of money they have spent in the summer and what they have changed around at their stadium and also given they have now gone full-time, they have got to be the favourites to win the league. They are a big strong unit with some big lads in the team. Makes the win even better then... We showed togetherness and that is what Darlington Football Club is about and we showed a real hunger and desire which is something we have in abundance and we will never change the way we are.