THERE may have been big changes at Darlington this summer, but it has been a controlled period, decisions made clinically and free of emotion.

Evidence of Quakers’ clarity in their recruitment came in pre-season where, unusual by Darlington’s standards at least, there were very few trialists in their friendly fixtures.

It has been a relatively uncomplicated pre-season for manager Tommy Wright, for he did almost all of his business early.

He wanted to give his new-look squad maximum time possible to train and play together, a perfectly reasonable approach given the wholesale changes at Blackwell Meadows.

Twelve have left and seven have signed since the end of last season, though that does not tell the full picture: since Wright’s arrival last October, 18 have left the club and 13 have joined permanently.

Two players fit into both categories: Josh Heaton, who was an overwhelming success, and Greg Mills, who wasn’t.

Beanpole centre-back Heaton joined St Mirren, in a transfer reported to be worth £70,000, having caught the eye of new Buddies boss Alan Stubbs, and in his place has arrived Jonny Burn, Darlington born and bred.

The former Middlesbrough defender has moved from Bristol Rovers, and also arriving with from a higher level is midfielder Liam Hughes (ex-Cambridge United), forward Jordan Nicholson (ex-Barnet), and goalkeeper Jonny Maddison (ex-Yeovil).

Perhaps they have a point to prove, which would work in Darlington’s favour. The same goes for Alex Henshall, a winger who Wright says was exceptional when they were both at Nuneaton, but left under a cloud due to a dispute, so has not kicked a ball competitively since midway through last season.

Simon Ainge perhaps has something to prove too. He scored 35 times for Harrogate Town in 2017, but a serious groin issue sidelined him for a chunk of last season, and on his return went on loan to Wrexham where he failed to score.

Such change has enable Wright to start afresh, with a new formation likely.

“We’re excited by the freshness in the group,” he said. “We needed a few fresh faces and characters and we’ve certainly got that, and now it’s about piecing it together.

“Touch wood we’re all fit for August 4 and I want a selection headache.

“We’ve worked on two systems, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, we’ve got to look at Curzon and work out a plan for that game.

“We can play two systems and we’ve got the personnel for it. It’s about getting bodies fit, getting them prepared ready for the game and two or three still need more physical fitness and we’re addressing that. It’s an ongoing project.”

Not all of the changes were planned. While Heaton would have been a certain starter, Wright says he had not intended to sell Phil Turnbull.

There are fans who would have kept Turnbull and Gary Brown, two big characters in the changing room and both players who had a strong bond with the club following their years of service. Wright saw it differently.

South Shields came calling, so they - and Chris Hunter and Josh Gillies - dropped down to the Northern Premier League.

Wright is not afraid of wholesale change, and dismisses past achievements as being exactly that.

He said: “Josh Heaton would’ve started and Gary Brown was going to be a sub, which is ultimately why he left. Phil Turnbull and Josh Gillies were part of my plans, but then two bids came in from a club that is on their doorstep.

“You look at it and think ‘that will let me bring in more players that I want to work with’. The decisions to leave were made by those players, but it was something I was happy to work with.

“I think the squad now is a lot stronger than the one I inherited, and stronger than the one I had at the end of last season, so I feel I have got everything that I need.

“You look at what Billy Heath has done at Alfreton, he has signed around 15 players. I have a group that I really want to work with.

“What’s gone on last season and the year before that is all irrelevant now. The squad I had last year finished 12th, I’m looking at a squad now that I want to be a play-off team.

“If they click how I expect them to click then that’s where I expect them to be. There’s an understanding that that’s what we’re looking for, so it’s over to the players now, as well as myself and Whitey to get the players going.”

As well as the player movement, there’s been staff changes too. Andy Collett has returned as goalkeeping coach, and Paul Thomas is the club’s new head of youth, the pair replacing Lee Barrass and Lee Nicholson respectively.