Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to the game. Last Saturday’s defeat at Chester was a disappointing one and means that we are very unlikely to reach the playoffs, but we can still be satisfied with our season.

Without doubt, Steve and Terry have greatly improved the squad this season, and they’ve built some solid foundations for next season. They have already identified areas that they can strengthen, and so once the season finishes next Saturday, work will begin on building a squad which we hope will finish even higher next season.

The condition of the pitch at Blackwell Meadows has caused plenty of debate in recent matches. Let me say first of all that the rugby club have assured us that their grounds staff are working very hard on the pitch, especially as there has been plenty of rugby and football usage over the last six weeks.

However, it’s clear that they need assistance especially in periods of dry weather, and therefore we have agreed to help with the purchase of a new irrigation system which will increase the water pressure and help to fully water the pitch in four hours instead of two days. At the moment, the heavy water hoses need to be carried, and obviously that is quite restrictive, so the robotic hoses should help.

We will continue to work closely with the rugby club. During the summer, the pitch is going to be renovated, and with the introduction of the new irrigation system, hopefully it will be ready well before the pre-season friendlies.

I’d like to congratulate our Under 23s on winning promotion from the Wearside League Second Division to the First. It’s a great achievement, considering that the team was only put together during the summer by Grant Cuthbertson. Some of their players have also been involved with the first team, and hopefully we’ll see them continue to develop.

I’d like to thank Michael Cansfield, who will be broadcasting his last game for Darlo Fans Radio at Scarborough on Monday. Michael has travelled all around the country for over ten years to commentate on Darlington matches – even when we were playing at Weymouth during lockdown – and everyone is grateful for what he’s done. He has informed everybody of some great Darlo moments. We’d like to wish him all the best for the future.

Finally, I would to welcome everybody from South Shields, and wish them a safe journey home.