Ex-Sunderland trio take charge at Darlington Published on Monday 28 May 2012 09:17 FORMER Sunderland midfielder Martin Gray has been appointed as the new Darlington manager, with former Black Cats colleagues Brian Atkinson and Tony Norman joining him for the club’s maiden Northern League campaign. Gray last night agreed a two-year deal at the Quakers after previously enjoying two spells as the club’s assistant manager. Atkinson, who has left Spennymoor Town, will be his number two, while Sunderland team-mate from the 1992 FA Cup final Norman will work as the goalkeeping coach. Darlington were relegated to the First Division of the Northern League last week by the FA, but Gray is confident the Quakers can earn bounce back up the football pyramid at the first attempt. Gray said: “It is no secret that Darlington is a football club that is close to my heart and this is a role that I just can’t wait to get stuck into, especially as the club is now fan owned. I am delighted to be given the opportunity to play a key role in getting Darlington back where it belongs after what has been a very difficult period for the fans and the club.” ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Best of luck to them, Am glad Darlinton has survived, Now the rebuilding has started, they have a long road in front of them, but the fanbase although not great, will still be able to support their beloved team. as I said good luck.
I think its a completely thankless task at Darlo at the moment and just hope they can keep afloat without more punishment and further sanctions and demotions. Clubs muct stand on their own two feet and the people of Darlington are the ones who must support them now and if they find a buyer and push on again, so be it. I find I have more empathy with Hartlepool than Darlington, as the latter is always linked heavily with the craas imo and I'll not quickly forget the Darlo mags flags at Roker the day we lost to Gillingham in 1986/87 season? Petty? Yes. Bothered. No.
