WITH last Saturday’s game with Buxton postponed, it feels like an eternity since we last played a league game. Of course, it’s only three weeks since we played Mickleover Sports but given we’re used to playing two league games per week, that’s a long time.

With the FA Trophy still at its embryonic stages and Tuesday's league cup victory at Blyth being of little real importance, it feels like the void of meaningful league action has been substituted with matters off the field.

After the AGMs of last week, Wednesday saw the latest event, a long overdue fans forum. With a decent turnout of fans, I found it to be a fascinating evening.

The king is dead, long live the king! Following Martin Jesper’s departure, Dave Mills stepped up to the plate, spoke with gravitas and hopefully left those in attendance feeling confident in the direction the club is going.

Ahead of the forum, a lot of talk on social media was focussing on the finances of the club and the likely overspend this season due to not having returned to Darlington. I can understand why some fans want us to cut back the playing budget in line with this season’s income; we’re not short of examples of where the club has lived beyond its means. However, I’m pleased with the approach being taken in maintaining the football budget.

It may seem a little reckless but I suspect there is a real danger that the club could stagnate very quickly if the football budget was cut, especially if some of our best players were moved on to achieve it. Given how few players of a suitable standard are knocking around in the North-East, we would face a monumental challenge reassembling a competitive team once the club returns to the town.

I can't help but feel that the next six months will shape how this club goes forward for the next few years. On the pitch, Martin Gray is confident and driven towards securing National League North football next season. Off the pitch, Mills is confident and driven towards securing our return to Darlington for next season. There is no reason why either of these objectives can't be achieved.

On the pitch, Gray has assembled a competitive side that should at the worst secure a place in the playoffs, even with any points deduction due to fielding Anthony Bell without international clearance. Off the pitch, both Mills and DFCSG chair John Tempest have spoken about the constructive discussions held with Darlington Rugby Club to secure a ground share. Everything is pointing towards an exciting six months in the history of our wonderful club.

With raising additional funds on the agenda, Gray and his players can make a contribution by securing victory in the FA Trophy on Saturday at Sutton Coldfield Town.

Having secured £2,700 in the previous round, there’s another £3,250 for grabs this Saturday. The game sees a unique challenge with the hosts having an artificial pitch at their Central Ground home. Often, clubs get their excuses in early when faced with playing on an artificial surface but that really shouldn’t be the case for us as our players train on a similar pitch every week.

Hopefully, with a strong side named, victory on Saturday coupled with prize money will go some way to helping the club achieve its objectives both on and off the pitch.