Football Season Guide

Darlington begin their second season in the Blue Square Premier after relegation and the feeling among the club is that they have a much better chance to return to the Football League this season than the previous one. An year ago, the Quakers were stil finding their feet after a hugely traumatic season and the sudden departure of Simon Davey midway through the summer added to the turmoil. Back then, Mark Cooper had no time to prepare the side for the season and it was all a bit rushed for most of the campaign. Darlo grew into the season though and it is telling that they finished just a place off the play-off zone, going on a long unbeaten run after the turn of the year while winning also winning the FA Trophy with a 1:0 victory over Mansfield at Wembley. Now, with a smooth pre-season behind them, the players will surely feel more confident and trusting the manager who will challenge them to walk the distance and make the step up. The quality is there with the only big departure this season being that of Dan Burn who joined Premier League side Fulham after making a great impression in the second part of last season. Some of Cooper's purchases have been really impressive with Graeme Lee and Kris Taylor coming on as established regulars in the Football League last season. The relationship between key players Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Liam Hatch will be important up front. Cooper will once again rely on solid defending and brute force in midfield to secure points and will surely not be making any apologies. He has had success at Kettering at this level before and will surely be aiming for only the top and will not accept another year of failing to secure promotion for a club of Darlington's stature that really should be in the Football League. The ingredients for success are thus in place and it will be intriguing to see how far Cooper's men will go this season.