Darlington FC are today delighted to announce Craig Elliott as our new manager.

Craig, who is 48 years old, has an impressive managerial record of over 900 games in charge of several clubs, and has plenty of experience in improving teams and going on to achieve success with them. He has signed a contract with us until the end of the 2028-29 season, and will be at our home game against Oxford City on Tuesday night at Blackwell Meadows. His appointment follows an extensive search and selection process.

Darlington chair David Johnston said; “I am delighted to welcome Craig to the club. He has proven experience at this level and I look forward to working with him to turn our season around.”

Craig, who has resigned his role as manager at Bradford Park Avenue to join us, said; “I have kept a clear eye on Darlington in recent years, and I think this is a great opportunity.

“They’re a big club with great support, and they want to keep moving forward. Just like me, the club is very ambitious.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting everybody and getting a feel of the club. I can assure everyone that I will work very hard and honestly to help the club climb the table.”

Craig started his managerial career with Glasshoughton Welfare and guided them to two promotions, and then he led Shaw Lane to three promotions into the Northern Premier League Premier Division in season 2017-18 as well as reaching the FA Cup first round in which they lost to Mansfield Town.

From Shaw Lane, he moved to Boston United when they were near the bottom in National League North, and took them to the 2019-20 National League North play offs, in which they beat Gateshead, but lost to Altrincham in the final.  They also reached the second round of the FA Cup, losing at home to Rochdale.

After leaving Boston in January 2022 and a brief spell at Matlock, he joined Buxton in December 2022 and guided them from near the bottom of the table to within a point of the play offs in the 2022-23 season.

He joined Bradford Park Avenue in August 2024 when they had been relegated to the NPL First Division East, and took them into the play offs at the end of last season.

This season, Bradford PA are top of the table, and after winning at Morpeth in midweek, are unbeaten in their last 16 matches.

We’d like to thank all of the applicants for the role, and wish them all the best for the future.

Further details, and an interview with our new manager, will follow over the weekend.

We’re sure that all Darlington fans will welcome Craig to the club, and wish him all the best for the future.

Terry Mitchell will be remaining at the club in his role as assistant manager.