Source: Northern_Echo
Pools connection should attract local support
Darlington's opponents may be travelling 300 miles for today's FA Trophy game, but they are banking on some local support at The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] Darlington's opponents may be travelling 300 miles for today's FA Trophy game, but they are banking on some local support at The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] Salisbury player-manager Darrell Clarke, 33, spent six years with Hartlepool and has called on his former club for assistance in the build-up to today's quarter-final tie.[LNB] The Whites used Pools training base yesterday at Maiden Castle in Durham which, coincidentally, is directly across the road from where Quakers are put through their paces at Houghall College.[LNB] With Pools at Exeter City today, Clarke has called on fans of his former club to cheer his side on at the Arena.[LNB] "It's extra special for me and I'm sure Ill get some stick," said Clarke, who left Victoria Park in 2007.[LNB] "The players will know it is extra special for me, I'll give them a little nudge and tell them come on boys, this is my old enemy so it might give me that extra two per cent.[LNB] "There's nothing more special than derby games and after being at Hartlepool for six years you get that hatred and you feel it from the fans and it seems to grow on you.[LNB] "We're really looking forward to it. The only disappointing thing is our fans have to make a 600-mile round trip, which is a massive cost.[LNB] "So I've been on their fans message board to see if any Hartlepool fans fancy coming to support us because theyre away at Exeter, which is a massive trip. I think you might find one or two Hartlepool fans coming across to have a look."[LNB] Salisbury reached the Trophy semi-finals last season, losing to eventual winners Barrow, but lost most of their squad in the summer after being demoted two divisions.[LNB] Clarke added: "It all made a huge impact on the club. We ended up with four contracted players in the summer and then manager Tommy Widdrington left to join Southend.[LNB] "It was a difficult summer but we're moving forward now and it's way in the back of the mind.[LNB] "We got to the Trophy semi-final last year but for me this is a bigger achievement already. That's why well go up to Darlo and enjoy the occasion."[LNB] Salisbury, in the Zamaretto Premier League, lost a top-of-the-table meeting with Truro 6-0 on Tuesday. But they remain on course for promotion and have bolstered their squad by bringing in Exeter City midfielder Chris Shephard on loan.[LNB]
