I just wanted to put on record my heartfelt thanks to all of the the Darlington supporters, staff, volunteers and players for all the amazing support you have given me since I walked through the door.

When myself and Terry came in, it was a really difficult situation. A lot of people said that avoiding relegation was impossible, but we did it, and we did it as a club. Everybody pulled together, on and off the pitch. We achieved what we needed to achieve, and we then improved and we improved again, but unfortunately, this summer proved to be very, very difficult. Losing the players that we did, the recruitment process was tough, the injuries we got really early on and in pre-season certainly took their toll and we find ourselves in an unacceptable league position. I do consider myself a very good manager, but I can't defend where we are at the moment. It's a results business, and I've been in the game long enough to know that a change is needed, and that, in football, has to be the manager, that's the way it is on this occasion.

I leave with a real sadness, because I was really looking forward to moving forward with the club and something dropping in your favour, like a stadium, training facility, the International Academy getting up and running or some investment which will drop eventually, but obviously it won't be on my watch. It's certainly not through a lack of effort I can assure you from the very top. But it's a results business, and this is where we find ourselves.

Terry Mitchell and Steve Rodden will be needing all of your support on Saturday which I don't think is in any doubt, but you can turn the corner looking at the squad in the dressing room and coming back from injuries to climb back up that table.

There are certainly more than enough games left, but unfortunately it won't be me doing it.

But as I said, I just want to thank you for my time here. It's a great club and you deserve something to go your way.

 

All the very best

Steve

 

Everyone at Darlington FC would like to wish Steve all the best for the future, and will always be especially thankful to him for his leading role in the Great Escape three seasons ago.