Quakers play their first game in front of fans for 517 days when AFC Telford United on Saturday – so it will be great to see everyone again.

Not since the 4-2 home defeat by Farsley on 14^th March 2020 has a spectator set foot inside Blackwell Meadows to watch Quakers in a league game, so Alun Armstrong’s team will be wanting to mark the occasion with a victory.

Saturday's match is sponsored by DAFTS

And the matchball sponsor is CADEC

Alun has made no secret of the fact that he has needed a centre half in the last week or so, and on Thursday evening he signed former Sunderland centre half Brandon Taylor, who joins his old team mates Alex Storey and Andrew Nelson in the dressing room. Alun also signed striker James Beauchamp on a non-contract basis, bringing the total number of new signings to twelve.

Here's an interview with Brandon

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/quakers-sign-centre-half-brandon-taylor

and an interview with James

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/quakers-sign-james-beauchamp

The other new signings are: Tommy Taylor, Lucas Martin, George Smith, Lexus Beeden, Junior Mondal, Jake Cassidy, Kevin Dos Santos, Andrew Nelson, Alex Purver, Kallum Griffiths and Joey Hope.

Team news: Luke Charman is out because of a positive Covid test, but everyone is expected to be fit.

Here's an interview with Alun:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/we-cant-wait-to-get-started-alun

You can buy your match tickets here:

https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/match-tickets

Don't forget about buying tickets in our Super 50/50 draw! £1 each and you could win a big cash prize.

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/announcing-the-new-super-5050-draw

Telford came to Blackwell Meadows twice last season. They won 2-1 here in the league in November, but they were beaten 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the FA Trophy.

Here are the highlights of our FA trophy tie against them last season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ21FC75Tfk

They have strengthened their squad during the summer by signing several players, including defender Nathan Pond, who has set a world record for promotions of seven – six with Fleetwood and one with Salford.

You can read more about AFC Telford United here:

https://www.telfordunited.com/the-team/players/

You can also buy a programme from our club shop on line -- but now that we're playing in front of crowds again, they're on sale inside and outside the ground on Saturday, price £2.50

https://shop.darlingtonfc.co.uk/E-Programme-AFC-Telford-NLN-p382607165

If you are unable to get to the game, it's being covered on Dalo Fans Radio. Unfortunately, we're unable to stream the game live for contractual reasons.

We will be publishing highlights on the website on Sunday evening, as per league instructions.

You can also follow the game on our Twitter feed and website