96.6TFM

Carling Cup winners Middlesbrough are aiming for their highest ever Premiership placing as well as looking forward to, and planning for, European football next season.

Sunderland hope to join them if they can overcome Millwall in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final to set up a Cardiff extravaganza against one of the country's top two, Man United or Arsenal.

Hartlepool are looking to make it two promotions in a row and Darlington continue the battle for survival, both on and off the pitch.

The off field problems the Quakers have are very worrying and upsetting for everyone connected to the club. Darlington fans, following the fortunes of their team on the front page of The Northern Echo rather than the back, are rightly very concerned about what the future holds for their beloved club. The fans and the local community have rallied round with fund-raising events to keep the club going and it would be absolutely tragic if the club were to go out of existence. A lot of people on Teesside still remember the dark days of 1986 when Middlesbrough so nearly went out of existence. Of course, a last minute rescue package was put together and the club has gone from strength to strength since, thanks to super chairman Steve Gibson. It is worth noting though that unlike the deal struck for Leeds United last week, the Middlesbrough consortium had to pay back every single penny that was owed to creditors.

Every football fan will tell you they invest a huge amount in their chosen club. Not only financially, but emotionally as well. It doesn't matter whether it's a Sunday league team or a top Premiership outfit, the dedication and loyalty of supporters is without question. I was lucky enough to witness Middlesbrough's cup win at first hand a few weeks ago and the absolute outpouring of pride and emotion that day was almost tangible.

Sport, and football in particular, grips people in a way that only fellow sufferers can understand and which baffles non-believers. That's why it is imperative that the people involved in battling to save Darlington succeed, it may only be a football club to some but to many it is a massive part of their lives.

This is demonstrated by Bishop Auckland Independent Supporters Club which has launched an appeal to raise funds to help their club return to its home town. The club has been 'squatting' at Shildon for the past couple of years and will be ground-sharing with Spennymoor United next season but plans are afoot for the club to go back to its roots on a newly-developed site at Tinsdale Crescent. Good luck to all involved.

Don't forget to join me and the rest of the team tomorrow on 96.6tfm. The fun starts with Ditchy, myself and Terry Cochrane at noon then we get down to the serious business live from all the local games from 2pm. Boro will rerun their Carling Cup Final as they play Bolton at the Riverside, Pool try to get their play off hopes back on track at Brighton and Darlo go to Lincolnshire to play Boston. Whoever your team is call TFM after 5pm to react to your team's performance with Tom Davies.