2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup First Round vs Barnsley (a) - lost 1-0. Carling Cup First Round vs Hartlepool United (a) - lost 3-1. Football League Trophy Northern Section First Round vs Kidderminster Harriers (a) - lost 2-1.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu (striker) - 11 goals.
Players In Patrick Collins (Sheffield Wednesday - Free), Martin Smith (Northampton Town - Free), Micky Cummins (Port Vale - Free), Barry Conlon (Barnsley - Free).
Players Out Matt Clarke (Bradford City - Free), Akpo Sodje (Port Vale - Free), David McGurk (York City - Free), Joe Kendrick (Released), Adrian Webster (Released), Guy Bates (Released), Matty Appleby (Released), Jonjo Dickman (Released).
Darlington have just missed out on a play-off berth for the last two seasons and need to find that little extra to break into the top seven places in the division. Scoring goals was a problem as striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu, who left for Cardiff City in the January transfer window, remained the leading marksman with 11 goals.
Manager David Hodgson looks to have remedied this by bringing back former striker Barry Conlon to the Feethams on a free transfer from Barnsley. Conlon netted 17 goals for the Quakers in the 2003/04 season before moving to Oakwell and then Rotherham United last season for a loan spell.
Hodgson has also signed Martin Smith, who enjoyed a prolific season with Northampton Town in 2003/04 where he scored 15 goals. He has been playing on the wing more recently and netted four times last season and 10 during 2004/05.
The arrival of Michael Cummins was also a coup. The Port Vale midfielder had been touted by several Championship clubs but chose Darlington due to family reasons. He made over 250 appearances for the Valiants since his transfer from Middlesbrough in 2000 and was widely regarded as one of League One's most consistent performers last season.
Club captain Matt Clarke departed for Bradford City following the end of his contract although versatile Sheffield Wednesday defender Patrick Collins has been drafted in to plug the gap left in the back four. Collins made just three appearances for the Owls last season but enjoyed a lengthy spell on loan at Swindon Town.
Verdict Darlington's goal scoring problem seems to be solved with the return of Conlon and the arrival Smith. Cummins is also an excellent acquisition and the Quakers may be able to squeeze into the play-off places after two seasons of narrow misses.
2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Third Round (replay) vs Cheltenham Town (h) - lost 1-0 Carling Cup First Round vs Wolves (a) - lost 5-1 Football League Trophy Northern Section First Round vs Cambridge United (a) - lost 3-0
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Ryan Lowe (striker) - 13 goals.
Players In Jamie Hand (Watford - Free), Jermaine McSporran (Doncaster Rovers - Free), Simon Marples (Doncaster Rovers - Free), Ashley Westwood (Northampton Town - Free), Phil Bolland (Peterborough United - Free), Jonathan Walters (Wrexham - Free), Dean Bennett (Wrexham - Free), Kevin Sandwith (Macclesfield Town - Free), Drewe Broughton (Rushden & Diamonds - Free), Graham Allen (Rushden & Diamonds - Free), John Danby (Kidderminster Harriers - Free), Glenn Cronin (Exeter City - Free).
Players Out Ryan Lowe (Crewe Alexandra - Free), Chris MacKenzie (Shrewsbury Town - Free), Stuart Drummond (Shrewsbury Town - Free), Ben Davies (Shrewsbury Town - Free), Paul Tait (Boston United - Free), Tom Curtis (Notts County - Free), Carl Regan (Macclesfield Town - Free), Wayne Brown (Hereford United - Free), Marcus Richardson (Weymouth - Free).
Following two seasons of struggle after their promotion from the Conference in 2004, manager Mark Wright has overhauled the squad in a bid to build a team capable of challenging at the upper end of the table.
Wright has signed tricky forward Jermaine McSporran on a free transfer from Doncaster Rovers and secured the services of Blackburn Rovers striker Jonathan Walters who spent last season on loan at Wrexham. Rushden & Diamonds campaigner Drewe Broughton, who netted 10 goals last term, including five in an eight game spell as relegated Diamonds hit form, also arrived on a free transfer.
The trio will have to find the goals missing due to the departure of last season's top goal scorer Ryan Lowe, who left to challenge himself in a higher division with Crewe Alexandra.
Watford's Jamie Hand know's what is expected of him following his transfer after loan spells at Northampton Town and Peteborough United last season while Phil Bolland has returned to the club after just five months at Peterborough.
Verdict With such a change in personnel it is difficult to judge how well the Blues will fair next season. Ryan Lowe's departure is a blow but the rest of the players they have signed are arguably of better quality than those let go. An improvement on last season's fifteenth place is a must and Mark Wright's side could enjoy a top 10 finish.
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