DARLINGTON have announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer who will also become the club’s chairman.

David Johnston, 52, has been named as the club’s CEO and he joins the board of a club which recently saw two directors stand down.

Richard Cook and Jonathan Jowett resigned last month, leaving John Tempest as Darlington’s only director, but Johnston has now joined the club and will meet Quakers fans this evening at a meeting for members of the Darlington FC Supporters Group at the Dolphin Centre (7.45pm).

Johnston, who lives in Tudhoe, is a management consultant, though he has had a varied career. He has held senior positions at a number of companies, including Thorn Lighting, in Spennymoor, and Stansted Airport.

He has a two-year plan for the club, and says that communicating with supporters will be among his priorities.

“What the club needs now is stability,” said Johnston. “The churn needs to stop. I’m coming in as chief exec and I will chair the board as well.

“It’s going to be up to me to bring in skills that complement the skills that are already there, and where we have gaps to bring in people to take the business forward.

“I’m certainly going to be here for a minimum of two years, that’s my plan. If I can’t find investment and I can’t find sponsorship and the club is sitting in the Conference at that time but is unable to compete at the upper end of the table then it would be my responsibility to step aside and let someone else have a go.

“But what the club will have by then is corporate diligence, we will be doing things right from day one. There will be formal board meetings, we will view the accounts on a monthly basis, I’ll expect financial reports, operation reports, and health and safety reports – the way a board should be run.

“I’ve operated at board level for 20 years and this club is no different. I hope to bring in some of that experience.”

Quakers have attracted criticism in recent months for a lack of communication, particularly regarding the seating issue which cost the team a place in the play-offs.

Johnston added: “This club needs to communicate more with its stakeholders – that’s not just the fans, that’s everybody. In the absence of communication, rumours start.”

Tempest said: “I’ve spoken before about a four-five person board and with Richard Cook resigning it was top priority again to strengthen the board.

“David brings with him a wealth of experience from board appointments at major blue chip companies, but perhaps more importantly he’s local and has the time to commit to the role which I’ve found over the last 18 months is key to making it a success.

“A football man as well, he is raring to go and I’ve already seen at first hand his firm yet inclusive approach which all bodes well for the future.”

*See Saturday's Echo for a full interview with David Johnston