THE arrival of a new chairman at Darlington has been a major talking point among fans, but midfielder Neil Wainwright says the Quakers' squad are focusing purely on football.

George Houghton's takeover was announced last Friday before officially taking charge on Saturday, although rumours regarding such a move had been circulating for some time.

Stewart Davies had been at the helm for two years before handing over to Houghton ahead of Saturday's 5-0 defeat at home to Carlisle United.

According to Wainwright, however, it's matches that are concentrating the players' minds and the change in chairman has provoked little response in the dressing room.

He said: "There has not been much reaction from the lads to be honest, it has not been that widely publicised really.

"The first I knew of it was when it was on BBC news on Friday night.

"All the newsreader said was 'Darlington fans will be meeting their new chairman when they play Carlisle', it was news to me.

"We just concentrate on playing football, who is in charge is nothing to do with us really.

"We leave the running of the club to other people and we just get on with playing football."

Darlington have offered three of last season's successful youth team professional contracts for next season, including midfielder Mark McLeod who made his first-team debut as a late substitute on Saturday.

Striker Richard Logan, who played once as a substitute against Boston United late last season, has also been signed on, as has left-back Alex Janes.

Janes was an unused sub at Leyton Orient last month but was in line to start until Robbie Stockdale signed on loan from Hull City 24 hours earlier.

Youth team coach Martin Gray, who led the youngsters to a league title win last season, said: "For me, it's a rewarding part of the job to see three players make that step up, that's what the set-up is about.

"It is important that they keep improving and developing, but I've told them not to expect to be in the first team straight away - it takes time.

"Players like Wayne Rooney and Lee Cattermole at Middlesbrough don't come along every five minutes, most young lads need time to develop.

"In the first team environment, alongside stronger and quicker-thinking players they will improve and become better players."

l Peterborough manager Steve Bleasdale claims he has signed ''a winner'' after snapping up experienced defender Tim Ryan on a short-term contract.

The 31-year-old former Doncaster man has been training with the Posh squad for two weeks after recovering from an Achilles injury.

''Tim is a player I know well,'' said Bleasdale. ''He is a winner, has a great left foot and can play at left-back or at centre-half.'