Source: Northern_Echo
Quakers could miss out on target
Darlington are continuing to work on bringing in potential new players to The Northern Echo Arena, but have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of James Walshaw.[LNB] The Guiseley striker, who scored 32 goals this season, this week held talks with Quakers boss Mark Cooper regarding moving up one level from the Conference North.[LNB] However, Guiseley manager Steve Kittrick believes his striker will stay with the west Yorkshire club.[LNB] He said: "Wally went to see Darlington on Monday but couldn't agree terms.[LNB] "However, I have spoken to him on the phone and he has given me his word that he will sign for us."[LNB] Although Darlington have been linked to several players, including Alan Gow and Kevin Ellison, formerly of Notts County and Rotherham respectively, Cooper is not concerned by the club's lack of transfer activity so far.[LNB] He said: "We've offered one or two contracts, but I've been doing this long enough now to know that situations can change by the hour.[LNB] "You think you've got someone, then they'll ring you back to say 'so-and-so have offered me another £100 a week'.[LNB] "I've talked about the distance before, it's difficult getting the right players up to the area, that's what's giving us the most problems."[LNB] Darlington have two more games to their list of pre-season friendlies. They will play at Harrogate Town on Saturday August 6 (3pm), a week before the start of the 2011-12.[LNB] The match will come three days after a visit to Whitby Town (7pm).[LNB] Meanwhile, Darlington are offering supporters an opportunity to pay for their season tickets in three instalments.[LNB] Due to some supporters feeling a financial burden after the club's visit to Wembley three weeks ago, chairman Raj Singh has agreed to let fans pay for their 2011-12 tickets over three months.[LNB] Supporters who sign up on or before Wednesday's early bird deadline must pay the first instalment next week, followed by two further payments on the same date in July and August.[LNB] "We recognise Wembley, as good as it was, has had a financial impact on our supporters," said Singh.[LNB] "We don't want to disqualify anyone from getting the early bird season ticket and therefore missing out on the discounted prices.[LNB] "As I've always maintained, we want to make football at The Northern Echo Arena as accessible as possible, while being realistic.[LNB] "We also need our supporters to nail their colours to the mast now so the manager knows what kind of cards he has to play over the next few months as he tries to build the strongest possible squad."[LNB] There will be a £20 handling fee applied per account (not per season ticket) for those who wish to pay over the three months.[LNB] Quakers fans have until Wednesday to buy early bird season tickets, priced £275 adults (less than £12 a game), £170 concessions (£7.40 a game) and £60 Under-16s (£2.60 a game).[LNB] On June 1 they go up to £310 adults, £190 concessions and £70 U-16s, while Ron Greener Suite season tickets will also increase, with adults from £325 to £360, concessions £220 to £240 and U-16s £80 to £90.[LNB] The Arena main reception will be open until 7pm on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.[LNB] n Other incentives for those who take out a 2011-12 season ticket with book holders being able to buy a ticket for each of the three pre-season friendlies (costing £10 each, £5 concessions) for the price of two (£20 adults, £10 concessions).[LNB] Season tickets holders will also be able to have their picture taken with the FA Trophy during free photo shoots at the Arena later in the year.[LNB]
