Darlington chairman George Reynolds last night hit back at critics who have labelled his first season at Feethams a failure, writes NICK WOOD.

The former safe-cracker has endured growing unrest among the Quakers' faithful following the side's failure to clinch promotion to Division Two.

Darlington looked odds-on certainties for promotion before fading in the final weeks of the season, eventually losing out 1-0 against Peterborough in the play-off final at Wembley in May.

And fans' favourites Marco Gabbiadini, Peter Duffield, Steve Tutill, Michael Oliver and Glenn Naylor have since left the ranks to leave many supporters dispirited over the club's prospects for next season.

But Reynolds insists the future is bright and says:

l The club intend to bring in six first-class players, including a Dutch international and a Premiership star.

l Season-ticket sales are up over the same period last season, from 710 to 1,070. The club are on course to top last year's total of 2,100.

l No clubs are buying players at the moment as they would have to pay them a month's money before the start of the season.

l Fans voted for admission price increases at a forum in Strikers bar to fund the arrival of better players.

l It's full steam ahead on the club's plan for a new home by the start of next season.

Reynolds has been stung by the criticism but asserted: "We will be a much better team next year.

"We had to have a clear-out and we've cleared out what we want.

"There's no turmoil at the club. We couldn't make (Marco) Gabbiadini stay, he had no intention of staying.

"If he had the chance of a three-year contract at Northampton he had to take it.

"Oliver moaned all the time. I was paying £15,000 to the team per win last season and they were all squabbling over playing.

"We've reduced the playing staff because we had too many players. We had 34 staff when I joined - we've pruned the staff by 12.

"The players we have at the moment can do the business for us. I chucked money at them last season and it didn't work."

Reynolds has invested £7.25m in Darlington and said: "Let's turn the clock back to the promises I made - let's look at what we have achieved.

* We've paid off all debts and have no new borrowing.

* We've cut admission prices. Even with the increases they are the lowest in the division.

* We were in the top three for most of the season and had two cracks at the FA Cup.

* We've got to Wembley.

* We've relaid the pitch.

* Planning permission has been obtained for a move away from Feethams.

"What a year it's been," he added. "I've only been a year in the job but I feel very upset because when the fans slag me off, they slag the team.

"They get at us because we're moving ahead.

"We're going for quality this time and it's big-wage people we're bringing into the club."

Darlington play Billingham Town on Saturday at Bedford Terrace in a pre-season friendly (3pm).