Source: Northern_Echo
Hatch sets his sight on the big prize
AFTER lifting the FA Trophy ten days ago, Darlington striker Liam Hatch has set his sights on winning the Blue Square Premier League title next season.[LNB] Hatch was part of the side that brought the club's first piece of silverware in 20 years back to the Northern Echo Arena after their last-gasp win over Mansfield Town at Wembley.[LNB] It could have been an entirely different story for Hatch though, after he came within hours of signing for Grimsby Town in January.[LNB] The striker's six-month loan spell from League One Peterborough had come to an end, and he looked set to sign for the Mariners after they offered a two-and-a-half year deal.[LNB] However, an eleventh hour change of heart saw the 29-year-old turn down a better deal to sign for Quakers on an 18-month contract after he admitted to feeling settled at the club.[LNB] Now with a FA Trophy medal to his name, Hatch wants to add another to his collection.[LNB] He said: We knew straight away that the aim was to win the Trophy, which would help us push on for next season.[LNB] Without a doubt we have to use the Trophy win as a platform and push on for promotion when we come back after the summer, that's our main aim.[LNB] Part of the reason I wanted to stay at Darlington was because I felt the club is going places and we've already proved that by winning at Wembley.[LNB] Now, we've got to go away, have a good rest and get ourselves ready for pre-season and be ready for next year and hopefully win the Championship.[LNB] The group of players we've got is capable of doing that and I'm sure the gaffer will bring in a few over the summer to boost our chances even further.[LNB] Hatch already has experience in a Conference winning side, when he played a key part in helping Barnet reach the Football League back in 2005 and the striker knows how important it is to get Darlington promoted after a difficult few seasons.[LNB] It would mean everything to get the club back into the Football League, he said.[LNB] We got relegated last year and there's been some bad times at the club recently.[LNB] Hopefully winning the Trophy puts a cap on that and we can look forward to pushing on and enjoying next year as well.[LNB] The fans that come and watch us week in week out have stuck by the club and the players in difficult times and it would be great to reward their loyalty by winning the league next season.[LNB] Darlington have missed out on the chance to sign Richard Brodie after the striker agreed a one-year loan deal with Fleetwood Town.[LNB] Quakers boss Mark Cooper was interested in securing Brodie's services with Crawley Town willing to let the striker go as they prepare for life in League Two.[LNB] But it was announced yesterday that Fleetwood had won the race to sign the former York City man.[LNB] [LNB]
