A 7-point plan for how Darlington move forward as a club
By Joe·
After years of being competitive at the top end of the National League North, Darlington now find themselves struggling near the foot of the division.
They sit inside the relegation zone, have sacked manager Steve Watson, and currently have the worst goals against tally in the league. If the job wasn't already hard enough for a club that are always battling on the financial brink, the fact that they find themselves with a lot of work to do after the first third of the campaign is going to be even more testing for The Quakers in the coming months.
As such, I think Darlington need to go back to the drawing board. Both short-term and long-term: how are they able to make the club a stable and competitive National League North outfit?
I have had a look at some areas they could focus their efforts, and produced a 7-point plan for how The Quakers can try to address their shortcomings going forward. So - here we go.
Conduct a full review of the footballing operations
Darlington find themselves in a bit of a pickle.
The Quakers currently sit 22nd in the National League North table, and have won only three of their opening 15 matches in the league so far. They fell to defeat against Spalding United on the weekend.
It does feel - looking as an outsider - that Darlington are at a bit of a crossroads when it comes being a National League North side. They have been 'skirting' - I feel - against the tide for a fair while financially, and after their start to the season and the uncertainty which has followed then I think The Quakers' prospects of suffering relegation are as high as they have been for a long while.
As such, I think that Darlington need to undergo a bit of 'open heart surgery'. They aren't in 'plaster territory'. They've got to rip the band aid off, make changes, and perhaps make unpopular ones that may incur short-term cost, but will give them a better chance of being a competitive outfit at the level long-term.
In a perfect world, this 'awakening' should have come earlier than this, and it something that the club should've been working on for a bit of time. They shouldn't have to have got plunged into the midst of a relegation battle to start having an honest look close to home at what they can do to improve the football club. The landscape in non-league is becoming tougher and tougher for sides that don't have healthy finances (like The Quakers) and so safeguarding their long-term future and making intelligent decisions at boardroom level to protect their club going forward.
These talks may well have been happening in the background. If they aren't, they need to prioritise these as a matter of urgency to make a few 'quick wins' to improve their short-term prospects, and very quickly look at how they change the trajectory that the football club is on.
Appoint a new Manager
Last month, Darlington made the decision to dispense of boss Steve Watson. Assistant manager Terry Mitchell has remained in charge in an interim capacity for the time being to oversee the side in readiness of making an appointment of a new manager. At present, it is seemingly 'quiet' on the managerial front, with few names mentioned and little progress communicated to the supporters regarding an impending appointment.
While the season is - you could argue - still fairly embryonic, you could equally say that the season is a third of the way through and so they can't allow the season to 'drift'. If they're going to give them a fighting chance of staying in the division, they have got to sort out a managerial appointment ASAP. Not least, give the first-team group clarity.
Every managerial appointment is - of course - an important one, but with their status as a National League side seemingly hanging by a bit of a thread in recent years (especially this year) then they've got to make the right one. Failure to get in the right name could see the club be readying themselves for life in the Northern Premier League next season.
For a fan-owned club like The Quakers, I think that would be a bit of a 'nail in the coffin' for them. They can't allow that to happen. That is a tough league with some strong and stable sides, and you absolutely wouldn't rule out The Quakers struggling in that league when it comes to financial performance. In short: they've got to give everything they have to ensure they can stay in the league this year.
While The Quakers may well go down the route of a 'project' manager with a younger, up-and-coming coach, I don't think that they have got the luxury of that 'wiggle room'. The managerial appointment has got to be the right one. Even if they do get the right one, the job is without doubt a tough one, and so I would air on the side of caution in going for experience. Someone that knows the leagues. A proven coach. Good contacts in the game. An ability to come in and stabilise the club - at the very least - as a sixth tier outfit.
So, who do The Quakers go for? That in itself is no easy question. I am sure that Calum McIntyre would have been a good option based off his track record with Chester.
Of the possible options available on the market, I would go for Billy Heath.
Heath is currently working at Mickleover Sports as an assistant manager, but I think that he could be quite sold on the prospect of going in as a #1 again at the level.
In terms of credentials, Heath's experience is well-documented at National League North level. Heath spent six years in charge of North Ferriby United, and got them promoted into the National League. He spent two years with FC Halifax Town, and was able to achieve the same feat. His more recent spell in management has been at Alfreton Town, spending seven years in charge of the club and guiding The Reds to back-to-back 5th placed finishes as well as finishing 9th in 2021-22.
Across all of these jobs, Heath has worked on a moderate to low budget and implemented a system of pragmatic football, and has been able to develop a good reputation with non-league.
I think that Heath would tick the boxes for what The Quakers need both short and long-term in being able to a) stabilise Darlington as a National League North side and b) try to have them competing at the top end of the division. He has a track record of being able to get a relative success in both regards, and so if he wanted the job then I think it would be make a lot of sense.
One of the benefits that you perhaps do get with Billy Heath that may well negate The Quakers in opting for Point (3) on this piece is that in his more prominent roles - at North Ferriby, FC Halifax Town and Alfreton Town - he has taken an active role in driving the club on an almost individual basis. If The Quakers do not have the finances to support bringing in backroom staff or making off-field changes that they perhaps need, Heath's experience of going into - and getting success at - clubs whereby he is given the responsibility of having the all-encompassing responsibility to lead all football operations may be beneficial. In particular, managing upwards That was one of the attractions to Steve Watson; he could be more than just a first-team manager, and so could save the club a lot of money when it came to doing beyond the job role.
Hence, I think Billy Heath would be a logical option.
Form a Football Advisory Board
Ordinarily, I would be advocating for a club appointing a Director of Football.
However, The Quakers are in a position to afford such luxury. They have got to cut their cloth accordingly, manage the 'pennies' and thus have to try and do things differently. They've got to try and find an 'outside of the box' solution.
The solution that I think would be a bit of a unique one in the non-league game, and one which (crucially) might allow them to navigate the financial challenges that they face in being able to bring in the off-field footballing acumen that they require without having to take on a spend of an official role is creating a 'Football Advisory Board'.
This would be a group of people within the non-league - and wider - game, coming together to form a board that would act in support of the manager, providing consultation to the main board / ownership, help in making footballing decisions, and provide the club with the access to their contacts.
To give two examples of how the board may be able to support (help) the football club. If the club are in need of bringing in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan, one of the 'board' may have the contacts on which they are able to draw to negotiate a potential deal or assist the manager in making contact for a potential target. Conversely, if one of the 'board' go to a local non-league game in the area and they see a player they like, potentially at Step 3 or 4 that they think may be worth looking at, they can point the club in their direction.
Ultimately, it's about putting together a group of people with the experience and contacts to help Darlington, provide them with added resources and offer guidance in ensuring they make good footballing decisions.
Crucially, I'd be looking at putting together a board of people with wide-ranging skillsets from recruitment, to local contacts, to National League North, to working with clubs on low budgets and navigating tough off-field remits, etc.
While this board would function as a supporting tool for the main board and first-team management, I would suggest one person on the panel would be elected to the board, almost as a 'spokesperson' to act on their behalf as a representative.
Personally, I think that an example board could look something like the following:
Paul Cox - experienced NLN manager, got promotion from the league, been in an off-field / boardroom capacity (Basford United), an appreciation for managing on small budgets.
Tommy Miller - comes from County Durham, played and coached in the NLN, business experience away from the game (a financial mindset), spent their career largely in the North East.
Neil Maddison - an ex-Darlington player, three spells as a caretaker at the club, academy ambassador at Middlesbrough, comes from the area (Darlington born), commentated for BBC Tees, appreciation for financial constraints the club have to work within. 57 years of age.
Establish a scouting department to identify local talent
As well as forming the Football Advisory Board, I would be looking to put complement the football operations in support of the manager by establishing a proper scouting department.
This doesn't - and likely wouldn't, due to finances - be full-time roles, but I think that there would be people that would be willing to give up their time to get involved with scouting. Be it people locally with free time (e.g. ex players or managers), long-term injured players at the club that may want to make use of their time, students at the local academy / university that are looking to get into the industry, etc.
I definitely feel like there are levers which they are able to pull to try and provide the first-team management with better resources than they have currently got in terms of Player ID and Live Scouting.
Strike a strategic partnership with Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough for their best youth talent
Given the geography of where they are and how difficult it can be to recruit players, The Quakers do already maintain good links with a number of higher-level academies; principally, Middlesbrough.
Apart from Gateshead - who are in a bit of a dilemma both on and off the field - Darlington should have a bit of a monopoly in the North East as a destination for young, up-and-coming, aspiring talent from Premier League youth sides that are in need of first-team minutes.
As such, I would look to try and strike a deal with these clubs. Strike an agreement that young players will be prioritised as an option to go to Darlington. If they let go of young players - primarily at the end of the season - then give Darlington the heads up as to availability such that The quakers can be near the front of the queue for their signature.
Add four new signings of experience to the spine of the group
From a short-term perspective, I think that The Quakers could do with adding a few new faces to their group to try and help bring about an improvement in the on-field performance of the side. Compared to other squads that sides have in the National League North, I feel that Darlington are perhaps under-strength.
I am not an advocate for the answer always being a case of simply 'signing new players' try and improve results, but I do feel that one or two players could change the dynamic of the group positively in their favour. They don't have the biggest squad in the world and they've not got the depth to perhaps make the changes they want to mid-game. As such, if they can find the room within their budget to be able to sign then I think that would be beneficial.
Personally, I would be targeting four players. Of the options on the market that I think may be attainable for The Quakers, I would look at the following:
An experienced defender - Tyler Magloire (unattached - free transfer)
Released by Port Vale at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. Can play as a centre-back or at right-back. Previously at Workington. Has a nice turn of speed to defend 1v1 in wide areas.
A central midfielder - MJ Williams (Barrow - loan)
Out of favour at Barrow, capable of playing as a central midfielder or at centre-back, with plenty of EFL experience and of a good age. Would be a marquee signing, but Williams may enjoy a fresh new start.
A winger - Jayden Carbon (Middlesbrough - loan)
Another Middlesbrough youngster that I think The Quakers should look at. Previously at Oxford City. Direct wide player with speed, and a mazy dribbler.
A winger - Joey Dawson (unattached - free transfer)
An ex-Celtic youth prospect that was released at the end of the season by Scunthorpe United, having featured sparingly for The Iron under Andy Butler. Capable of playing wide or centrally in the attacking third of the pitch. Only 23. A chance for Dawson to try to get his career up-and-running.
Implement a structured Supporter Communication Plan
How does the old phrase go? - 'Communication is key'. Quite.
One of the frustrations that Darlington supporters have had in recent years is the communication - or lack thereof - and that the fans are somewhat 'left in the dark' regarding the key 'going-ons' at the football club.
Running a successful football clubs is a bit like being Prime Minster of England. There are always going to be people that moan and are unhappy. That is part and parcel of the territory. The skill is in being able to manage that expectation, communicate successes and give rationale and context to difficult decisions.
While some people may not always be willing to take some decisions at face value, I think that people are more inclined to support and get behind the project. I go back to that Prime Minster analogy: the more you tell people how well you are doing, the easier it is.
There have been situations with the football operations whereby better communication could well have provided optimism for the fans and given them better context to understand why things are done.
Basic things such as player incomings and departures, loan renewals, retained lists etc - this should be your 'bread and butter' that keeps the supporters in the loop.
Going forward, I'd like to see them try and improve their social media output. Better communication. Perhaps a weekly round-up of the things that have taken place that week. Regular updates with the board. Perhaps a Q+A or forum, and asking supporters to submit some questions. Keep fans updated, engaged and motivated to get behind the club.
There we go. 7 points. A mini Blueprint of how to get Darlington performing again. Some short-term, and some longer-term. All with the view of trying to get The Quakers competitive in the league this season, and provide the foundations to be so going forward.