Darlington

Stockdale impresses boss Penney
Darlington manager, Dave Penney, has rewarded David Stockdale's recent form by reassuring the keeper he will not be sent out on loan this season. After replacing new signing Andy Oakes in goal, Stockdale, 21, looks set to keep his first team slot. Speaking to the club's website, Penney said "We wanted him to play and we thought that he would get better through competitive games". He added "We don't have to look around for another keeper at the moment."

Darlington keen to recruit Foran
Darlington boss Dave Penney hopes to sign Southend United striker Richie Foran on loan. The ex-Motherwell forward, 27, moved to Roots Hall for £200,000 in January but has not started a game this year. "We're after a little bit more experienced kind of player and, touch wood, Richie is going to join," Penney told the Northern Echo. "He will give us more options in the wide areas and he can play up front too if needed."

Quakers sign Foran from Southend
Darlington boss Dave Penney has completed the signing of Southend striker Richie Foran on a month's loan. The Irishman, 27, moved to Roots Hall from Motherwell for £200,000 in January but has not started a league game for the Shrimpers this season. He will stay with Darlo until after their game with Chester on 15 December. "Richie needs to go out and get games. That's why we've let him go, and it will do him good," Southend boss Steve Tilson told his club's website.

Gray disappointed with Cup loss
Darlington assistant manager Martin Gray felt defensive lapses cost his side as they crashed out of the FA Cup. The Quakers were knocked out 2-1 at Northampton in the first round replay after a 1-1 draw in the initial tie. Gray said: "At Brentford last Saturday, we imposed ourselves in the first 20 minutes, but we didn't do that here. "We didn't get our passing game going, There were too many balls into our box early in the game. The goals we let in were poor, which was a disappointment."

Quakers hand Stockdale new deal
Darlington keeper David Stockdale, 22, has been rewarded with a new contract after keeping eight clean sheets in 14 starts for the Quakers this season. He joined them in 2006 and had signed a new one-year deal earlier this year taking him until the summer of 2008. "We didn't expect him to play as many games as he has done, but he has deserved the new contract," boss Dave Penney told the Quakers' website. Meanwhile, Scottish striker Ian Harty, 29, has left Darlo by mutual consent. He made just two substitute appearances after joining from Airdrie United in the summer.

Statue hope for black footballer
A Darlington artist is campaigning for a statue of Britain's first black professional footballer to be set up in the town. Arthur Wharton, originally from Africa's Gold Coast, now Ghana, was the Quakers' goalkeeper from 1885 to 1888. He went on to play for Preston North End, Stockport and Sheffield United. Shaun Campbell is seeking the backing of Darlington FC and the council for a statue which he believes would attract fans from around the world. Arthur Wharton came to Darlington in 1884 at the age of 19 to train as a Methodist preacher. 'Standing ovation' He was also a keen cyclist and athlete and in 1886 became the fastest man in Britain when he won the 100 yards in the Amateur Athletics Association national championship at Stamford Bridge in London. Artist Shaun Campbell has commissioned a local sculptor to produce a bust to show what a statue would look like if it was given the go-ahead. Mr Campbell said: "People in the town loved Arthur Wharton. "When he returned to Darlington after a stint playing for Preston North End he was given a standing ovation from fans, who also sang a song called 'Wharton of Darlington'. "If we get a statue put up it will become a testament to black people and their contribution to the region. "The council and football club have been very supportive and I would urge anyone who is a fan, not just of Darlington, but also the North East, to contact them and show their feelings."

Chief Sotnick leaves Darlington
Darlington chief executive Jon Sotnick has parted company with the club. According to the Quakers, he has left by mutual consent as a cost-cutting measure and will work for another of chairman George Houghton's companies. A club spokesman said: "This has been necessary in order to rationalise the senior management costs to ensure investment is maintained on the team. "Despite the league-topping squads form, gates have not met expectations and costs need to be controlled." Sotnick had been chairman at Boston United since February 2004 before resigning from the position in June 2006. He was then appointed as Darlington's chief executive a few days after leaving York Street.

Quakers defender faces FA hearing
Darlington defender Alan White is facing a Football Association disciplinary hearing this week. The 31-year-old was charged with a breach of FA rule E3 - improper conduct - following their 3-1 defeat at Rochdale on New Year's Day. White was sent off in that game for a second bookable offence after 74 minutes, with Darlo already losing 3-1. He has admitted the charge and requested a personal hearing, which will be held on Thursday, 10 January.

Miller completes Quakers switch
Darlington have completed the signing of Ian Miller on a free transfer from Championship side Ipswich Town. The 24-year-old defender signed an 18-month deal after impressing during two loan spells with the Quakers. Miller has made 13 appearances for Darlington this season after failing to break into the first team at Portman Road. He becomes boss Dave Penney's second signing this week, following Paul Mayo's switch from Notts County.

Penney delighted with Mayo debut
Darlington boss Dave Penney was full of praise for new signing Paul Mayo after the full-back marked his debut with a goal in the 3-0 win over Bury. Penney signed the Notts County defender on a month's loan last week and was delighted with the way he settled into his new surroundings. He told SSB: "I thought he was excellent, and he capped it with a goal which we didn't expect. "It's early doors but we're delighted with his debut."

Darlington rocked by Oakes injury
Darlington goalkeeper Andy Oakes will be out of action for the remainder of the season after damaging shoulder ligaments in training. The 31-year-old stopper will have an operation to correct the problem. "He didn't seem that bad but he walked off during training on New Year's Eve with a sore shoulder," boss Dave Penney told the club's website. Meanwhile Darlington have extended striker Richie Foran's loan deal from Southend until the end of the season.

Penney asks for Quakers character
Darlington boss Dave Penney wants his side to show their character after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Wrexham. Penney was disappointed with aspects of the performance and hopes his promotion-chasing side can bounce back at home to Barnet this weekend. "There's going to be blips and we didn't really look on top of our game," Penny told SSB. "There will be a few ups and downs and this is a down but it's how we react to it on Saturday." Penney also faces more injury woe after midfielder Clark Keltie hobbled off with a knee injury. He added: "After an hour we made two subs and within two minutes Keltie's hurt his knee and we were really just playing with 10 men for the last half hour."

New Abbott injury blow for Penney
Darlington boss Dave Penney could be forced to bring in reinforcements after losing striker Pawel Abbott to injury. Abbott was absent during Monday's home draw with Morecambe and Penney is concerned that the Pole could be out for the rest of the season. "It's been a big blow, he was limping about yesterday and the injury looks a bad one," he told SSB. "We've only one loan space left, we'll have to decide what the best option is to add to the squad." ABBOTT FACTFILE Began his career at Polish side LKS Lodz in 2000 One cap for Poland under-21s Joined Darlington in July 2007 It has not been a happy time with injuries for Darlington's forward line, with Tommy Wright joining team-mates Abbott and Richie Foran on the sidelines. However Penney is confident former Leicester man Wright will return in time for the visit of Bradford on Saturday. "I think he's just got a bang on the hip, he had a bang when he hit the goalkeeper and then another whack on it later on. "He's a tough lad is Tom, I'm sure he'll be back and ok for Saturday's game."

Darlington recall for Wainwright
Darlington have recalled winger Neil Wainwright from his loan spell with League Two strugglers Mansfield Town. Injuries have decimated the Quakers squad forcing boss Dave Penney to bring back the 30-year-old midfielder. Wainwright, who had a month out on loan at Shrewsbury before Christmas, joined the Stags on 21 March, with a view to stopping for the rest of the season. But he was not on the winning side in one start and four sub appearances for relegation-threatened Mansfield.

Penney praises Quakers debutant
Darlington boss Dave Penney has praised striker Curtis Main after the teenager became the youngest Quakers player in history at Peterborough on Saturday. Main, 15, came on as a substitute for midfielder Ricky Ravenhill and Penney was delighted with his impact. "We're light on numbers in the centre forward area and he's been in the squad a couple of times," he told SSB. "It was nice to get him on, he acquitted himself well, has good character and is a good footballer." Goalkeeper David Stockdale will depart for Fulham once Darlington complete their play-off involvement and Penney was cautious not to lose the 22-year-old for the semi-final with Rochdale after he hobbled off during Saturday's game. "It's just a kick on the top of his foot and he was struggling to kick it," said Penney. "Stockdale will be in tomorrow with the physio and we'll get it iced up. "But Przemyslaw Kazimierczak came in and did well and it was nice to get a clean sheet."

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