Darlington manager Gary Bennett yesterday re-signed crowd favourite Phil Brumwell but released winger Mark Angel who has only played a handful of games since signing on a free transfer in the summer.

Brumwell, who was signed by David Hodgson and Jim Platt from Sunderland in the summer of 1995, figured in two Wembley play-off squads, but was given a free in the summer to the disappointment of some fans.

Brumwell joined former Darlington boss Brian Little at Hull City on a two-year contract, but he has hardly figured in the Boothferry Park line-up, and has made just a handful of appearances, mainly as a sub.

"The move to Hull hasn't worked out for him, and he wanted to come back," said Bennett.

"Phil will be a useful player, because he can play in several positions in midfield and defence, so he will be ideal for us."

Brumwell has been signed on a free and will almost certainly figure in the Darlington squad for tomorrow's home game with Mansfield.

However, Bennett will not be signing another player from Hull, striker Jason Harris, who played in the reserves' 5-1 home defeat by York on Wednesday night.

Angel found it hard to hold down a regular place in the squad although he was part of the team which knocked Nottingham Forest out of the League Cup at the beginning of the season.

Meanwhile, defender Paul Heckingbottom played for part of Wednesday night's game, and is still having slight problems with his groin injury.

Quakers last night revealed plans to bring in a better quality of player to Feethams.

A packed house at a fans forum in Strikers was told by director Luke Raine: "We have a plan in place to bring players to the club of a higher quality next season, or sooner if we can.

"But we are unprepared to pay good money out for players who don't perform every week.

"We had players like that last season and maybe that cost us promotion."

And manager Gary Bennett revealed that he is chasing more new blood for the forward line.

"The chairman is stabilising the club and I know that I can bring in two players now, but I mustn't go stupid. The wages were £1.8m last season and only £800,000 this season.

"The demands of some players when I speak to them are for over £150,000 per year, and the chairman isn't going to back that."

Raine also defended the club's decision to build a 25,000-seater stadium in Neasham Road.

"If we only built 10,000 or 15,000 then we would have to re-apply for planning permission if we wanted to extend it. We thought it would be best to build a 25,000-seater and get the job done instead of going through the nightmare of reapplying.

"And we would build a stadium like this if we didn't intend to stay in the third division at least.

"The dream is to carry on going forward and build on the foundations we have. The target was to get up the league as quickly as we can.