Darlington Supporters Trust has given a cautious welcome to the new regime installed at the Quakers at the weekend.

In a whirlwind few days, chairman George Reynolds brought back former manager David Hodgson and promised to take a back seat from henceforth.

The trust was set up two years ago and recently crossed swords with Mr Reynolds over his comments that he would confront his critics at home. The trust is also concerned about the financial position of the club, which still has to be made clear.

Mr Reynolds has now lifted a ban on four fans in a move aimed at uniting fans behind Mr Hodgson. The trust has welcomed the lifting of the bans as a positive step, but says there is still uncertainty about what lies ahead.

And there has been no retraction of statements that fans would be confronted at their homes if Mr Reynolds felt they had displeased him.

"Supporters trusts have shown they can be vital for a rainy day," said a spokesman. "Our problem is, we can see the clouds gathering, but we don't know if or when the weather will break.

"What we do know is that we need as many supporters on board now as possible, as we enter what could be a key few months."

It was hoped to recruit extra members at a meeting at Darlington Cricket Club last night when the guest speaker was former Quakers' skipper Kevan Smith.

He said: "It really is the right time for the fans, the town and the community to rally round and show a united front."

The trust also hopes to arrange a forum in the near future with the new manager.

* Next Wednesday's licensing committee will hear that Mr Reynolds is applying for a provisional public entertainment licence for Bar 66 at the arena but has yet to finish all the work to comply with the building regulations.

* Hodgson in charge: page 32.