AT the end of a week in which he made his first managerial appointment, Darlington chairman Raj Singh is now setting his sights on rebuilding the club’s dwindling support.

With Quakers bottom of League Two following their worst ever start to a season, home attendances have dropped to around 1,700 – the lowest level for 12 years.

Singh hopes that handing the managerial reigns to Steve Staunton can spark an upturn in fortunes that will boost crowd numbers.

Last season they averaged close to 3,000, this season they’ve been below 2,000, and Singh is keen to mend relations with stay-away supporters.

“It’s been well documented that the link has been broken between the fans and the club and that’s what we’re trying to build,” he said.

“That’s probably going to be the hardest job but we are working hard at it and hopefully it will come sooner rather than later.

“Let’s hope we won’t have sub-2,000 crowds for long and look the other way, rather than thinking negatively.

“I think we’re getting there.

Behind the scenes a lot of work has gone on. Hopefully now we can get the results and get people believing in the team.

“Whatever happens on the pitch attracts crowds. We got 2,500, 3,000 last season and once we start turning it around on the pitch people will come back. If we start moving up the league now they’ll be interested in coming and watching us.

“Steve wanted to be assured we were on a sound footing and not up to our necks in debt. That’s what I confirmed to them and we moved on from there. Hopefully we’ll start winning sooner rather than later, get the crowds back and get towards that 3,000 mark.”