IN the aftermath of one the most controversial periods in Darlington's history and following a nine-game winless run, the club and its supporters have been urged to come together "to move the club forward".

The Darlington Supporters' Trust, formed six months ago, has organised a public meeting at the town's Arts Centre on Saturday morning, ahead of the home match with Swansea City, and the future of both the club and Trust will be on the agenda.

Trust organisers say that, following the infamous comments made by George Reynolds' wife, and Monday's clear-the-air meeting between the chairman and the first-team squad, now is the time for cool heads.

Trust secretary Peter Ashmore said: "We're conscious of the situation at the moment and have no wish to inflame it any further. This meeting was organised well before the Susan Reynolds speech and is primarily a membership drive plus discussing the direction of the Supporters' Trust.

"The club has been making the headlines in recent weeks but it's time for everyone to put that behind us and draw a line.

"The board, players and fans are all in the same boat, we're in this together. We all want the club to do well and for the new stadium to be a success.

"But there needs to be true dialogue based on a better understanding from all sides."

The Darlington Supporters Trust is part of nationwide organisation, Supporters Direct, which is a government-backed scheme set-up to assist fans who wish to play a responsible part in the football club they support.

Ashmore explained: "Fans are becoming increasingly aware that football is changing and that there are financial concerns at all levels of the game, not least the lower divisions.

"Supporters' Trusts are becoming real communication channels between fans and their respective clubs."

The meeting starts at 11.30am at the Arts Centre in Vane Terrace. For more information, contact Peter Ashmore on 07762 772719.

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