Darlington

Darlington
Parkinson cool on Armstrong link Colchester manager Phil Parkinson has played down reports he is set to sign Darlington striker Alun Armstrong. Quakers boss David Hodgson had revealed Armstrong, 30, had received an offer from the U's but Parkinson denied it. "Alun was a player we were looking at earlier in the season when we needed an experienced striker," Parkinson told the club's official website. "However, we've got Marino Keith on the books now and I have made no approach for Alun in the past few days." Meanwhile, Parkinson has released winger Joe Keith, 26, who has been at the club since 1999.

Darlington release 10 from squad
Darlington manager David Hodgson has released a third of his squad, reports BBC Radio Cleveland. The Quakers boss has told high-profile signing Bobby Petta and former Middlesbrough defender Curtis Fleming that their deals will not be renewed. There is no future at the club for Ian Clark, Chris Hughes, Adolpho Gregorio, Craig Russell, Mark Convery, Michael Price, Keith Gilroy and Michael Coglan. Several other players are talking over new deals with Hodgson.

St Pats aim to bring back Fleming
St Patrick's Athletic are interested in signing Darlington defender Curtis Fleming and winger Craig Russell, 31, who has been released by the Quakers. Fleming, 36, played for the Irish club before joining Middlesbrough in 1991. "Curtis was at our game against Shamrock Rovers and realises it is a different league to when he played in it," St Pats boss Jon McDonnell said. "I've put a proposal to him and he is considering it. He is hugely popular here and would be a great addition."

Wycombe swoop for striker Griffin
Wycombe have beaten Mansfield and Darlington to the signing of Forest Green striker Charlie Griffin. The 25-year-old, who scored 17 goals last season for Rovers, has signed a two-year contract with Wanderers. Boss John Gorman said: "His goalscoring record has been exemplary and if he can do that for us I'll be well pleased." Meanwhile, on-loan Southampton defender Mike Williamson and midfielder Matt Bloomfield, both 21, have also signed two-year deals at the Causeway Stadium.

Hutchinson must wait for new deal
Darlington assistant boss Mark Proctor says Joey Hutchinson will be offered an extended deal if he can convince the club he is over his injury problems. The 23-year-old has not featured since September and was only offered a one-year contract. "Joey hasn't played for nine months," Proctor told the club's website. "What we said was 'we've offered you a year's contract with a view to renegotiating at Christmas if we are convinced you are over your injury'."

Darlington not rushing into deals
Darlington assistant boss Mark Proctor is not concerned by the lack of much transfer activity so far this summer. "When players are getting paid by their present clubs during the close season, people are reluctant to come and sign for somebody," Proctor explained. "They know they are going to get paid during the close season, so you'll see transfer activity kick in around the beginning of July. "It is normal practice - there is no worry," he told the club's website.

Defender Liddle hangs up boots
Darlington skipper Craig Liddle has decided to called time on his professional playing career. The 33-year-old defender has taken the advice of specialists and retired after a season which saw him struggle with knee and stomach injuries. Liddle spent seven years with the Quakers and made over 300 appearances in all competitions for the Quakers. The veteran has been granted a testimonial game against his former club Middlesbrough on 23 July.

Saints deny interest in St Juste
Southampton manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed reports that the club are in talks to sign Darlington's promising young winger Jason St Juste. Reports in the North East suggested Saints are one of a number of clubs chasing the 19-year-old's signature. But Redknapp, who hopes to lead Saints straight back into the Premiership next season, has played down the rumours. Redknapp told BBC Radio Solent: "I've not made any enquiries about any Darlington players."

Cade set to train with Darlington
Former Colchester striker Jamie Cade is set to join pre-season training with Darlington after a move to Inverness Caledonian Thistle fell through. The 21-year-old was hoping to rebuild his career in Scotland after being released by the Layer Road club. But former Middlesbrough trainee Cade told the U's official website: "It seems Inverness would have to get a striker out to accommodate me. "At the moment, the manager there is not sure he can do that."

Clarke set to stay at Darlington
Darlington defender Matthew Clarke has changed his mind and looks set to stay with the club after holding talks with boss Dave Hodgson. Hodgson told the Northern Echo: "Initially, Matt didn't feel our offer was good enough for him. "I asked him whether it was worth moving on for the sake of an extra £200 here and there when he's settled here and had a great season with us." "After a personal discussion Matt has decided the best place to be is here." Clarke, 25, joined the Quakers in 2002 from Halifax.

Darlington eight sign new deals
Darlington have received a boost with Adrian Webster agreeing to stay at the club along with seven other players who were out of contract at the club. Webster and fellow midfielders Neil Maddison, Matty Appleby, Clark Keltie and Jonjo Dickman will all sign new deals for the League Two outfit. Defensive trio Ryan Valentine, David McGurk and Chris Mason have also decided to stay. The eight players have all signed one-year contracts with Darlington.

Hodgson offers warning to McGurk
Dave Hodgson has told Darlington defender David McGurk that he cannot expect to walk into the first-team despite signing a new one-year deal. The Quakers boss said: "David know the situation and understands there are other defenders ahead of him here. "It's entirely up to him, but I would have no problem with him moving on if there was a better chance elsewhere," he added in the Northern Echo. York have long been admirers of McGurk who was on loan there last season.

St Juste considering his future
Darlington winger Jason St Juste will decide his future inside the next two weeks when he returns from holiday. St Juste, 19, is out of contract and has been linked with a move to Southampton, but has had other offers. His agent Ian Flanagan told Quakers' website: "Jason wants a few weeks to think things through, but I don't quite know where he's going to go. "He does have various options and heard all the rumours but I told him to get away, chill out and relax."

Darlington target Larkin signing
Darlington have lined up a move for Mansfield forward Colin Larkin. The 23-year-old Dundalk-born striker has been with the Stags for three seasons and was the club's top scorer with 11 goals last campaign. However he seems to be out on his way out with boss Carlton Palmer saying he had no future at the club. Darlington assistant boss Mark Proctor told the Evening Gazette: "I have held further talks with him and we will see what develops."

Darlington offer short contracts
Darlington manager Dave Hodgson says the club are only offering players one-year contracts. Hodgson feels the short-term deals make financial sense for the club and gives him the flexibility to change personnel easily if they do not perform. "It is mainly down to finance because the budget this season has been reduced," he told the club website. "What I don't want is a scenario where people come for one or two years and fail to deliver over two years." Meanwhile, Hodgson has hinted that midfielder Jason St Juste's time at Darlington may be over. The 19-year-old is out of contract and has reportedly attracted interest from Southampton - which they have denied - as well as other clubs.

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