DARLINGTON have had a mixed season so far, currently wedged firmly in mid-table, but Dave Syers’ numbers make for good reading, which perhaps is only natural given that he is training to be an accountant.

Last Saturday his crucial late goal earned Darlington a point in a 3-3 draw at Kidderminster Harriers, meaning the team avoided what would have been a morale-sapping third straight defeat, while for the midfielder it underlined his potency.

It was his 13th goal in his 45th appearance for the club, the midfielder maintaining a goal ratio better than some forwards.

But he had done his sums and was quick to point out that only 31 of those appearances have come when in the starting XI.

Furthermore, in 14 appearances as a substitute he has scored five times, such as last Saturday at Aggborough.

“I always know the stats because it’s an important part of what impact I can have on a game in that final third,” he explained. “Whether that’s scoring, setting someone up or even playing the pass before the assist.

“I try to keep an eye on how many goals I’m involved in, because ultimately that’s what gets you three points, I’ve always been the same in any team I’ve been in.

“I’ve always aimed for a one in three starts ratio, and that usually becomes one in four or five when including overall appearances.

“In my time at Darlington I have found the back of the net. But I’m not one of them that scores regularly – I’ll usually score something like five goals in six games, and then not all for a while. I seem to score in spells.”

Would he better off playing up front?

“Scoring goals is the best part about playing football, but the reason I’ve been able to score is that I’ve been running on to passes from deep, maybe arriving in the box from deep, as opposed to standing up against a 6ft 5in defender who knows you’re there.

“But pretty much every time I have played as a striker over the last ten years I have scored!

“Strikers are usually strong or quick, not things that are major parts of my game. My main strength is knowing where the ball is going to be.

“I wouldn’t have played as high as I did in my career if I’d been as a striker.”

Syers signed in October 2016, dropping down to the National League North after previously playing for Scunthorpe, Rochdale and Doncaster Rovers among others, to combine playing part-time with studying to become a chartered accountant.

Once qualified he will become a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, but with exams continuing for another year – the next two are in December – he is finding time during away trips for studying, which almost inevitably encourages ribbing from team-mates.

Of Nathan Cartman, a fellow member of the squad’s Yorkshiremen car school, Syers said: “I think it hurts his brain just looking at the books.

“Trying to fit it in with family time and the football is pretty full on, but hopefully this time next year I’ll be finished with all of the exams.

“There’s 15 in total, I’ve done eight, I’m preparing for nine and ten in December.”

He will put the books to one side and put his boots back on this weekend, hoping to earn a recall at Blackwell Meadows on Saturday when Darlington take on Tamworth, a team tenth in the table, two points ahead of Quakers.

He was an unused sub last time out at Blackwell, a 3-0 defeat to Brackley which came seven days after Syers had scored in a 3-1 defeat at Blyth Spartans.

“I was quite disappointed to be taken out of the team for the Brackley game,” he revealed.

“The gaffer pulled me before the game and I told him then that I didn’t agree with him but I’m not going to throw my toys out of the pram.

“I want to be playing if I’m in the midst of a scoring run, so all I can try to do is come on and hope to have an impact and feel I have done that.”