Davey backs Darlo strength

Darlington boss Simon Davey believes the club are in a strong position to bounce back from relegation.

Quakers chief eyeing instant return from non-league

Darlington boss Simon Davey believes the club are in a healthy position to bounce back into the Football League at the first time of asking. The Quakers were relegated on April 14 - despite a victory over promoted Rochdale - following a campaign that has seen the club rooted to the foot of League Two. But Davey reckons the foundations are in place to make a swift return from the Blue Square Premier after chairman Raj Singh promised the manger funds to mould his own team in the summer. The former Barnsley chief admitted it would be difficult to bounce back at the first attempt - although he was optimistic about the future at the Darlington Arena.

Budget

The 39-year-old said: "I spoke to Raj (Singh) and he was willing to maintain the same budget in the Conference. He wanted to bounce straight back up so all the boxes were ticked for me. "I'm excited about the prospect of taking this club forward. It will be harder than the last time the club were trying to get out of the Conference. You only have to look at Luton to see how hard it is now. "But the chairman is giving me the tools that will enable us to compete at the top of the division next season, and hopefully this time next year we'll be celebrating a promotion. "I certainly don't want to be in the Conference for any longer than a season, I want to bounce back up at the first attempt and that ambition is shared by the chairman."