THANK YOU to everybody who entered our Mystery Man competition, which managed to raise over £400.

Well done to Owen Wren, who correctly identified Paul Walsh hiding underneath the European Cup, standing between myself and Alan Kennedy.

As you can see by his white shoes, Walshy was a snappy dresser but not as fetching as the chap on the left.

What people won't appreciate from the picture is my knee-high, strapped boots. Unfortunately, the staff at the hotel in Rome weren't as impressed with my Roman tribute and kindly asked me to cover them with my linen chinos.

Owen will receive a signed shirt before tomorrow's game against Cambridge and a season ticket for the rest of the season.

Hopefully we can get a few more through the turnstiles tomorrow.

I was disappointed with the turnout against Cheltenham on Tuesday night. George Reynolds must be laughing at us after everybody said the crowds would get better when he left. There has never been a better time to support Darlington FC. Financially, we need the support more than ever and on form we're the second best team in the Third Division.

With Boro winning the Carling Cup, Sunderland reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup and Newcastle still in the UEFA Cup, the region's teams are doing pretty well for themselves. And full credit to Hartlepool, who are holding their own in Division Two. We've set our own sights on success by avoiding relegation.

Reading into comments made about Alan Shearer this week, I assume Ruud Gullit is pining for a return to football management. There are ways and means of creating publicity but for Gullit to label Shearer "selfish" and "overrated" is disgraceful. I would have thought someone with Gullit's reputation in the game would have more respect.

I think most managers would love to have an Alan Shearer in their team, I know I certainly would. He's come back from career-threatening injuries and still manages over 25 goals a season. Alan is Newcastle United through-and-through.

Sadly, Andy Collett has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 30.

It's terrible news for Andy and for the club he has served so well over the last five years.

I brought him to the club from Bristol Rovers and the fans took to him straightaway. Unfortunately, he hasn't had the best of luck with injuries, which is a real shame because he's a great keeper.

I am hoping that he will stay with the club in a coaching capacity.

On a final note, congratulations to young Joey Hutchinson, who became a dad at the weekend to a lovely baby girl, Alexis, who weighed in at 6lb 9oz.

Joey has been doing a lot of travelling from the North-East down to Birmingham to be with his wife and daughter this week but I'm sure it has all been worth it.