‘PUT the kids in’, is a comment often made by frustrated football fans and Darlington’s opponents on Saturday, FC United of Manchester, say they will be doing just that this weekend.

The struggling side suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Nuneaton Borough at the weekend, a result that left United six points from safety with five games to go.

They are 20th and nine points adrift of 18th-placed Darlington, so a win at Blackwell Meadows on Saturday is vital for Neil Reynolds’ side to retain any hope of avoiding the drop.

That hope is all but gone, however, according to a statement released by FC United on Tuesday.

It reads: “On Saturday 6th April FC United travel to Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington DL1 5NR to play Darlington in the National League North.

“The consensus of opinion is that Saturday’s abject surrender to bottom club Nuneaton Borough marked the lowest point on the pitch in FC’s 14-year history.

“Not only did it make relegation almost certain, it opened up a huge schism between the players and the fans who watched as the team collectively failed to play for the badge.

“The manager has let it be known that some of those players have played their last game for FC United, and in a decision that has met with unanimous approval from the fans, Renno has indicated he will bring in the club’s successful U-21 players to show what they can do until the end of the season.

“So if you can, get yourself to that football ground this Saturday to hopefully witness the start of a new FC era forged in the fire of a relegation battle!”