ADAM MITCHELL has become the sixth member of Darlington’s title-winning squad to agree a new contract.

The winger, who can also play at right-back, has signed a two year contract with Quakers, the same length of deal that five of his team-mates have also recently agreed.

Since the end of the season ten days ago Leon Scott, Gary Brown, Terry Galbraith, Chris Hunter and Stephen Thompson have all committed to Quakers and the news is a boost for Darlington, who on Sunday saw striker Graeme Armstrong decide to leave the club.

Manger Martin Gray said: “The lads that have signed new deals have been the core of the squad for the last few years and they have been nothing but a credit to the football club.

“Like every manager, you try to look after the players that have looked after the football club.

“They always work herd when they’re in the team, and if they’re not in they make sure they do everything they can to stay fit so when they get their chance they take it.

“There’s a few players in the group that have not played as much as they would like, but they have kept their focus and not let anybody down when they have next played. They got a professional approach.”

Gray is now keen on shifting focus to preparing for the National league North.

Ge added: “They deserve the contracts for what they’ve done, but that chapter is done now, we have to challenge ourselves again.

“That chapter is closed now as far as I am concerned, I really mean that. I am sick of celebrations, I want to move on now.”

Meanwhile, work on Blackwell Meadows will soon begin after Darlington FC and Darlington Rugby Football Club received a £150,000 grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).

The funding will go towards ground improvement works at Blackwell which includes the construction of two new spectator stands, turnstiles, dug-outs, boundary and pitch fencing, and work on the playing surface.

Quakers will move there next season, and Darlington director John Tempest said: “We must thank the Premier League through the FSIF for their investment. This will now allow us to start work on Blackwell Meadows, and this grant supports our overall fundraising campaign.

“I would like to thank project manager, Malcolm Cundick, for his tireless work and likewise the efforts of Michael Wilkinson chairman of DRFC to get this application over the line.”

Peter McCormick OBE, chairman of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, said: “Congratulations must go to Darlington FC and Darlington Rugby FC for securing this FSIF grant. The improvement works will benefit both the players and club’s supporters.

“The new stand will also provide a safe and comfortable environment for spectators, and other improvement works including fencing, turnstiles and floodlights will improve the match day experience for all. The investment is a key example of the Premier League’s commitment to improving grassroots facilities across the country. I look forward to seeing the works complete.”