DARLINGTON fans need no reminding where the ground is for this evening’s game as they play their latest pre-season friendly at their former ‘home’ in Bishop Auckland.

They were based for four and a half years at Heritage Park after leaving The Northern Echo Arena in 2012, playing 109 matches at a venue where they enjoyed some memorable moments during the club’s renaissance.

Manager Martin Gray would like to see Quakers fans show their gratitude to their former landlords, and he was also keen to place on record his thanks to the Northern League club.

He said: “It would be good if the fans turned up in their numbers because Bishop were great for us, and we’ve all got lots of good memories from the time.

“Terry Jackson, who was Bishops’ chairman when we first went there, is still involved with them and he was excellent in making sure everything went well.”

Quakers’ final fixture at Heritage Park before moving to Blackwell Meadows in December was against Salford City, against whom the National League North season starts a fortnight tomorrow.

Gray added: We’ve still got a fortnight to go, and pre-season is about building fitness levels and understanding. The little bit of sloppiness that you had at the beginning of pre-season is reduced.

“This time of year is about getting minutes under your belt and getting back into good habits.

“The mentality is important too, it’s about being focused. We’ve got three games to go and in every game we’re looking for a little bit more every time.”

Four trialists involved in Monday’s 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United under-23s will be given another run-out this evening, including former Hartlepool United pair Jordan Richards and Scott Fenwick, who scored against the Magpies.

Ex-Middlesbrough prospect Joe Wheatley, a midfielder, is in the squad as is Bamber Bridge centre-back Josh Heaton.

Gray added: “We’re still looking at players still like every manager is. We’re trying to bring in stronger, better players every season and the lads that came in on Monday did ever so well and gave us food for thought.”