Can Darlington bounce back into the Football League at the first attempt like they did last time? It will be far more difficult than it was back then, because there are a lot of former league teams struggling to get out of the Blue Square division they will be in.
At least there are more signs of hope in the Quakers of late.This new manager seems to have the right attitude. The story might have been so different if he had arrived before the start of the season rather than near the end. Some fans will have happy memories of that term in the Conference. There were decent crowds at Feethams, so the atmosphere was enjoyable. The same sort of attendances will be pathetic at the Arena, so unless there is a lively start to the new season and we are close to the top of the table it will be disastrous.
Just imagine what it will be like with 1,000 fans present, or even fewer. That will certainly be a possibility unless the team shows from the start that it is in with a strong shout of clawing its way back. Fun fairs and car boot sales may help to pull in some cash, but the only things that will really count next season are results on the pitch.