Darlington

Bossu is released by Gillingham
Gillingham have released goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu after he failed to turn up for pre-season training. The Frenchman, 24, was the third-choice at Priestfield last season as the Gills were relegated from the Championship on the last day of the season. He has recently been in talks with Darlington over a move. Meanwhile boss Neale Cooper has told Jason Brown and Steve Banks that new boy Tony Bullock will not necessarily be the club's number one goalkeeper.

Fans decide on Quakers game dates
Darlington have announced the result of the fans vote over the re-arrangement of two home games next season. The Quakers let supporters decide when their games with Notts County and Macclesfield will take place. Both were originally scheduled for Saturday's when England were in action - 3 September and 8 October. The games will now take place on Friday night after more that 75% of fans who voted chose that option over a 1pm start on Saturday. Darlington chairman Stewart Davies said: "This once again shows our commitment to the fans and how important they are to the football club. "Fridat night football is something that has only been done once before at the club and we hop the supporters will come out in force to back the team."

Bossu is released by Gillingham
Gillingham have released goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu after he failed to turn up for pre-season training. The Frenchman, 24, was the third-choice at Priestfield last season as the Gills were relegated from the Championship on the last day of the season. He has recently been in talks with Darlington over a move. Meanwhile boss Neale Cooper has told Jason Brown and Steve Banks that new boy Tony Bullock will not necessarily be the club's number one goalkeeper.

Keeper Bossu keeping options open
Goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu is keeping his options open after being offered a contract by Darlington. The 24-year-old Frenchman was recently released by Gillingham, and Darlington assistant boss Mark Proctor told his club's website: "Bossu came for talks. "(Boss) Dave Hodgson made him a contract offer which he didn't decline, but he said he would speak to other clubs, so I don't know where we are." Proctor also hopes first-choice keeper Sam Russell will sign a new deal. "The club want to get him sorted out, so there are two parties who want to go in the same direction - it's just a matter of resolving the money," he added.

Darlington secure three signings
Darlington have signed three players and revealed that they are in discussions with three others. Sam Russell, 22, has agreed a new two-year deal, while fellow goalkeeper new arrival Bertrand Bossu, 24, has signed a one-year deal with the club. Utility man Matthew Appleby, 33, has also agreed a new one-year contract. Manager David Hodgson said: "We've been working extremely hard behind the scenes to try and secure these players for the new campaign."

Connor to fight for Swans future
Paul Connor says he is desperate to stay with Swansea following the collapse of a move to Darlington. The Quakers agreed a fee with Swansea for the striker, 26, but he says he was disappointed at the developments. "I was gutted they said I could speak to Darlington because I don't want to leave," Connor told the South Wales Evening Post. "I won't lie, I was pretty shocked but that is football. I want to stay here and fight for my place." The Bishop Auckland-born forward was the Swans' second-highest scorer last season with 13, but started just one of their last four league games. Connor joined Swansea for £35,000 from Rochdale in March 2004.

Darlo bring in Swindon star Duke
Darlington have signed Swindon utility man David Duke on a one-year contract. Duke, 27, turned down the offer of a two-year deal to extend his stay with League One side Swindon and joins the Quakers on a free transfer. Boss David Hodgson was thrilled to have signed the defender/midfielder. He told the club website: "I've been chasing him for quite a while and am delighted. "David is a very experienced player and will be an asset to the team. He can play in a multitude of positions."

Liddle game hit by securty alert
Darlington's pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough was abandoned because of a security alert. Fans were evacuated from the stadium and the match - a testimonial for former Boro and Quakers star Craig Liddle - was called off at half time. A Darlington spokesman said: "After discussion with the police a decision was made to abandon the match. "We are sad Craig's big day ended this way and would like to thank everyone for their attendance and support."

Martis ponders Darlington offer
Darlington have offered Dutch defender Shelton Martis a one-year contract. The former Feyenoord and FC Eindhoven player has returned to his native Holland to consider the offer. Boss Dave Hodgson feels he deserves a deal despite the trialist's last game for the club being abandoned at half-time thanks to a bomb scare. Hodgson told the Northern Echo: "He's a good player. He has lots of pace, reads the game well and his distribution is as good as anyone at the club."

Hodgson focusing on performances
Darlington boss Dave Hodgson says he is not interested in how the League table looks at this stage of the season. The Quakers are ninth with four points from three games but Hodgson is more interested in how his side play than seeing them climb the table quickly. He said: "I keep saying to the players 'forget talking about being top'. "Top of the league now means nothing - to be top in May is what I want. What I want now is players working very hard and being totally committed."

Hartlepool 3-1 Darlington
Substitute Michael Proctor scored twice as Hartlepool edged into the second round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over north-east rivals Darlington. Jon Daly bundled Hartlepool in front after 25 minutes as the home team dominated early on. Proctor came on after 64 minutes and, 11 minutes later, he doubled the lead after charging down a clearance. Carlos Logan pulled one back with a low shot but, when Daly's header rebounded off the bar late on, Proctor tapped in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Nelson, Collins, Robson, Butler, Sweeney, Strachan, Humphreys, Boyd (Proctor 65), Daly (Bullock 90). Subs Not Used: Provett, Llewellyn, Clark. Booked: Butler, Proctor. Goals: Daly 26, Proctor 76, 88. Darlington: Bossu, Martis (Duke 74), Clarke, Hutchinson, Valentine, Wainwright, Dickman (Jameson 90), Peacock, Logan, Wijnhard (Sodje 59), Johnson. Subs Not Used: Webster, Appleby. Booked: Johnson. Goals: Logan 81. Att: 6,163 Ref: N Miller (Co Durham).

Hodgson hails professional outfit
Darlington boss Dave Hodgson says the current group of players are the most professional he has managed. Hodgson, in his third spell as Quakers boss, told Sir Stanley: "What we have here is a group of kids that are very professional in their lifestyles. "For that reason if I was to look over all the different squads I think they have the edge over past ones. "And in terms of their football they have done very well, playing some very good stuff." The "good stuff" has taken Darlington to second in the League Two table, with 11 points from their opening six fixtures. But Hodgson, who has presided over more than 300 matches in charge of Darlington, is far too experienced to take notice any notice of the table so early in the season. "The League position is irrelevant to me," he said. "I don't know who is bottom, or third, fourth or fifth, because I'm honestly not bothered. "What matters is where we are at the end of May - we could be second now and eighth in May - which would be no good to anybody." Hodgson has assembled a young squad of players, with several coming from Premiership clubs such as Carlos Logan from Manchester City and Anthony Peacock from Middlesbrough. "We have a team with an average age of 21 or 22," Hodgson added. "Some don't have much league experience because they have come from bigger clubs so I'm delighted with their start - if you look at the bigger picture it must really give them confidence." And the effect this has had on other members of the squad has also pleased Hodgson. "We have one or two lads who last year were a nightmare in terms of lifestyle but this season have fallen in line - one or two are even setting examples," he said. "We have them for about two hours a day and who knows what they do for the other 22 hours of the day. "But it looks as though they are doing everything properly because their fitness levels are very good and their concentration is improving." It all makes for an exciting season for a club that has focused more on survival than success over the first half of the decade. But George Reynolds has departed as chairman and the flirtation with administration appears to be over for the time being. The new ground has been renamed after a sponsor and new chairman Stewart Davies has brought financial stability to the club. "I've had four different owners and six chairman in all my time at the club," said Hodgson. "It has always been a case of fighting for some stability, some understanding between the club and the public. "We are just starting to find that again now because there is stability - we have no financial problems and a budget to work within. "I have a good chairman who does not interfere with football - he is a good, honourable man. "What we have to do is get the harmony back between the club and the public."

Hodgson praise for young Quakers
Darlington manager David Hodgson is impressed by the way his younger players have performed this season. "As I am concerned the kids are going in the right direction," Hodgson said. "We haven't got an awful lot to criticise on the training ground. "I think they are doing well and as long as they keep going in the right direction then we will get there. "At times our defending has been sloppy but again remember that they are all kids along that backline."

Hodgson rues lack of cutting edge
Darlington boss David Hodgson feels his side lacked a cutting edge in the 0-0 draw against Boston. Hodgson said: "We normally go out and in the second half and tend to drop the tempo, but we lifted the tempo on our own accord. "We are lacking a cutting edge in front of goal. If we can get people to link up better and with a little bit more care and the goals will start to go in. "Apart from that I have no complaints because we dominated the game."

Macc want Wijnhard in loan deal
Macclesfield are lining up a possible loan move for unwanted Darlington striker Clyde Wijnhard. Wijnhard, 31, has left the Quakers but his registration is still being held by the League Two side. "They have approached us to take him on loan - now it is up to Clyde." boss Dave Hodgson told the Northern Echo. The ex-Leeds man's Darlington contract was terminated for allegedly breaching club rules, but he may be seen as the answer to Macc's goalscoring problems.

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