DARLINGTON supporters will get a first glimpse of the club’s four new signings this evening as manager Martin Gray gives game time to the new recruits in a pre-season friendly against Sunderland, but a club stalwart is on his way out.

Striker Liam Hatch appears to have played his final game for the club after last night being transfer-listed by Gray.

The manager wanted Hatch to leave midway through last season, before the experienced former pro played his way back into contention and he ended up playing a crucial part in the play-offs.

Within seconds of coming off the bench in the semi-final against Spennymoor Town, Hatch scored an equaliser which set Quakers up to win 3-2.

And after striker Graeme Armstrong sustained a serious injury in the play-off final, which led to him having half of his pancreas removed, Gray offered Hatch a one-year contract.

Hatch signed the deal, but Gray has changed his view of the player and no longer wants him at the club.

Hatch represented Quakers in the Football League as well as in the FA Trophy final in May 2011, when he played at centre-back, a position he occasionally filled in at last season.

It remains to be seen whether Gray replaces Hatch, but he has already made some impressive signings this summer with defender Kevin Burgess, midfielders Adam Nowakowski and Phil Turnbull and winger Rob Youhill all joining the fold.

None of the four played in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Durham City, though a handful of trialists appeared and one or two may be handed another opportunity this evening.

“Everybody will play. I didn’t want to put them in on Saturday, I was saving them for the Sunderland game,” said Gray in reference to his new signings.

“It’ll be a good opportunity to see how we cope against a Premier League side. It’ll be a different mentality required and you’ve got to conduct yourself in the right way. We’ve got to be respectful, but also give them a game.”

The teams met a year ago at Heritage Park, Sunderland winning 5-1.

Gray added: “The result is not a concern, it’s about getting minutes under our belts and having a good shape about the team, getting into good habits.

“We won’t be judged on what we do in a friendly, but on what we do over the course of the season.”

Darlington will this evening be wearing their new home kit, as chosen earlier this year by supporters in a poll, and when the season starts it will be emblazoned with the logo of new shirt sponsors Glenwood Paints.

The deal will see the Darlington-based firm sponsor Quakers’ home and away shirts.

Charlie Greenhalgh, Glenwood Paint Supplies’ managing director, said: “I have supported this club for over 50 years.

“This is a great opportunity for us and I am excited to be involved in helping DFC get back to where we wish to be.”

Darlington say that replica shirts will be available to purchase before the start of the new season, while they will soon reveal their new away kit.

*The club yesterday announced that Quaker Retail is to relocate “for the foreseeable future” to the Dolphin Centre in Darlington town centre.

From Monday the club shop will be situated on the ground floor of the leisure centre.

A statement read: “The move to the Dolphin Centre will provide much more sales space in the run up to a busy period during which season tickets, DFC500 leisure wear and replica shirts will become available for collection.

“The Club is also planning an exciting new range of DFC leisure wear beginning in the Autumn. Full details of when all these items can be collected or when the new leisure wear becomes available for purchase, will be given in due course.

“To allow the volunteers time to move stock in preparation for the move, Quaker Retail will be closed this Friday, July 10 only.

“The club also feel that Quaker Retail, being located in the town centre, will become more accessible for many of its supporters. The club would like to thank Darlington Rugby Football Club for hosting Quaker Retail for the past 12 months.”