Todd reveals 10 new faces

Darlington boss building for new season

Last updated: 2nd July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Todd reveals 10 new faces

Todd: 10 new signings

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Darlington boss Colin Todd has brought in 10 new players with the Quakers starting from scratch ahead of the new season.

The club were plunged into administration in February with the vast majority of the squad electing to leave in the summer with the future of the club in severe doubt.

But Darlo's future has since been secured and a recent creditors' meeting voted in favour of the terms of the rescue package on the table.

Only skipper Steve Foster and fellow defender Ian Miller remain from last season, but they have now been joined by a host of new faces.

Although Todd's recruits cannot officially sign until the club is clear of administration, that is expected to happen in the coming days.

Experienced striker Dean Windass, released by Hull City at the end of last term, has joined the club in a player-coaching role and will work as Todd's No.2.

Clear message

He is joined by former Middlesbrough academy midfielder Gary Smith and goalkeeper David Knight, who won the 2004 FA Youth Cup with Boro.

Former Carlisle duo Chris Lumsdon and Jeff Smith will be plying their trade at the Darlington Arena, along with young Hull City duo Matt Plummer and James Bennett, who were released by the Tigers at the end of the season.

Experienced striker Lee Thorpe, former Sheffield United defender Ben Starosta and ex-Quakers defender Craig James complete the new arrivals.

Todd is still keen to bring in more new players ahead of the League Two campaign and has admitted his interest in former Leeds striker Michael Bridges.

The former Bolton and Bradford boss told the Northern Echo: "It sends out a clear message that Darlington Football Club is well on the way to getting out of the mess it was in."