FOLLOWING the Mansfield game last Tuesday I could hardly wait to put pen to paper when I returned home that night, but I was feeling “a bit tired” with my prosthetic left leg playing up somewhat. Still, I’d made it to the match with my son-inlaw and grandson helping me accordingly.

After a cup of coffee I then calmed down sufficiently enough not to vent my feelings that night, only to read in The Northern Echo on Wednesday morning you had so aptly described the game with your headline and entertainment value of one out of five.

The interview with the manager was fascinating. He said that the players told him they were “a bit tired”.

Well let me tell Mr Singh, three of us season ticket holders in Barnard Castle are “a bit tired” of the obvious lack of effort, even if they lack the ability.

The manager playing a 4-1-2-1-2 formation is laughable. Does he think he is the manager of Real Madrid? The game was screaming out for a wide player to have any chance of getting behind Steve Forster and co, who, incidentally, someone at Darlington did not think was worthy of a further contract. What a joke.

A more lighter observation, is the assistant manager Richard Dryden on the take from a water mineral firm? He is constantly swigging from a bottle during the game.

Maybe it stops him yelling obscenities at the deserving players.

David Stoddart, Barnard Castle

IT was interesting to read the letter from Mark Anderson (SHAS, Jan 24) complaining about the coverage, or lack of it, of Darlington Football Club.

In my opinion it is the complete opposite: there is too much.

Who wants to read about an ailing non-league club when there are clubs that deserve coverage, ie, Whitley Bay, Dunston who keep the light shining bright in the FA Vase.

Also, he complained that they have been relegated to the same page as Gateshead (in the Sunday Sun). That is because they are at the same level as them, non-league.

How it must hurt him to see Hartlepool run as a proper club and managing to survive in League One.

Afraid you will always be in our shadow?

When the team of the week is picked I say that Darlington should not be involved as Gateshead are not and again they are the same level. Stick to league clubs only.

Paul Stoddart, Hartlepool