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https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/pitches/boost-the-budget-26-27/

Darlington chairman David Johnston has described the club’s late collapse in the race for the National League North play-offs as "hugely disappointing", while insisting the Quakers must use the frustration of last season as fuel for what he believes is a pivotal 12 months ahead both on and off the pitch.

Speaking to Stuart Armstrong in an end-of-season interview, Johnston reflected on a campaign which promised much but ultimately ended in familiar disappointment, with Darlington falling away in the closing weeks after spending much of the season in play-off contention.

"We set the play-offs as our objective at the start of the season, and to still be in contention on the final day shows how close we came," Johnston said.

"But naturally everybody at the club is disappointed. The last six games, we blew it to be honest. We just weren’t good enough. The table doesn’t lie – we finished where we deserved to finish."

Johnston admitted the manner of the collapse remains a particular frustration, pointing to late goals conceded and missed opportunities that proved costly.

Despite the painful ending, Johnston believes progress was made under management duo Steve Watson and Terry Mitchell, who signed new deals during the season.

"There has been progress," he said. "The fact we were in with a shout of the play-offs with two games to go shows that."

"Unique within the pyramid": Boost The Budget remains crucial

As Darlington launches another summer Boost The Budget campaign, Johnston was unequivocal about its importance to the club’s competitiveness.

Calling the supporter-led fundraising initiative "unique within the pyramid", he said it remains one of the defining strengths of the football club.

"What the Darlington fans do is unique within the pyramid structure in the UK," Johnston said. "It’s unbelievable what the fans contribute every year."

He added that the initiative continues to draw admiration from across football.

"Wherever I go, people always talk about it. I’m travelling in the world and people know Darlington because of Boost The Budget.

"It’s incredible what the fans do. It’s never taken lightly. I appreciate how hard people work to do that."

Johnston also revealed how impressed players are by the direct supporter contribution to the wage budget.

"The players can’t believe it," he said. "They really appreciate it. They think it’s unbelievable that you’ve got direct debits from monthly wages going in to pay their wages."

Ground situation "must be resolved within 12 months"

After the collapse of a previous ground proposal, Johnston admitted frustration at the lost time and insisted the club now needs clarity quickly.

"I’m extremely frustrated that we’ve lost 12 months since the last scheme fell over. Again, you have to start from scratch."

Johnston said Darlington is currently exploring two live options: either redevelopment or securing land for a future stadium project.

He was clear that securing a ground solution is central not just to infrastructure ambitions, but to attracting external investment and safeguarding the club’s future.

"This year, the ground is so important," he said. "I want to have a decision and a plan on the new ground by the end of next season."

"We want to go up"

Johnston also dismissed suggestions from some supporters that Darlington are reluctant to earn promotion due to financial concerns.

"Politely, I think that’s rubbish," he said.

"Football is a competitive game. It’s about winning and I always want to win. I want to succeed. I want the club to grow.

"If this club had no intention of going up, I wouldn’t be sitting here."

He acknowledged the financial challenges promotion would bring but insisted the club would deal with them if the opportunity came.

"If we’d got promoted this year, I would have taken it now," he said. "It would have been extremely difficult on the budget we’ve got, but we’d find a way."

"Stick with us"

Johnston ended with a direct appeal to supporters ahead of another summer fundraising push and another attempt to reach the play-offs.

"Dust yourself down, sulk for 24 hours, go and have a beer, come back and be ready to go again," he said.

"Your support for Boost The Budget is pivotal to giving us a competitive squad next season. So stick with us.

"I know how hard people work, and I know how difficult it is in the current economic times, but just keep supporting the football club.

"We will get there."