ADOPTED northerner James Sharp last night issued a come-and-get-me plea to Darlington after being released by Hartlepool United.

The Reading-born centre-back has been told his existing contract, due to expire on June 30, at Victoria Park will not be renewed by Pool boss Mike Newell.

And a confident Sharp, who has attracted interest from non-league and Irish clubs already, has been left with his professional days as a footballer in doubt. But the 27-year-old former cleaning firm manager, who swept the board at the Pool's Player of the Year awards at the end of the 2000-01 campaign, is determined to bounce back.

And the long throw specialist, who can also play left-back, hopes that he will attract the interest of Third Division outfits Darlington, York City or Carlisle United.

He said: "I like the area and I am keen to stay in the North-East. If Carlisle, York or Darlington got in contact then I would be happy to speak to them.

"I have been contacted by a couple of Conference teams, but I have said to them that I appreciate their interest but I want to hold on and see if I can get a League club."

Three Darlington defenders - Stuart Whitehead, Adam Reed and Simon Betts - are out of contract this summer and Sharp is convinced he would be a more than capable replacement should any need replacing.

Sharp failed to break into the first team in Pool's promotion push, as impressive pair Graeme Lee and Chris Westwood's form together never wavered.

l Quakers fans who held season tickets at some point between 2000-03 can purchase their tickets for the new stadium this Saturday.

Application forms have already been sent to supporters who held season tickets during the above seasons and it must be stressed that the application form must be completed with personal details before coming to the ground.

A steward has been put in place to show fans to the seats available.

Then supporters will be directed to the Ticket Office for their application forms to be checked.

Season tickets for next season will then go on general sale at the ticket office on Saturday May 31.

Read more about the Quakers here.