Darlington continue their pre-season build-up today as they head for Kingstonian to play two games in as many days on the back of a strenuous last fortnight.

The players have been put through their paces both morning and afternoon since the beginning of pre-season two weeks ago as they prepare for the new season which begins four weeks today at Cambridge United.

Boss Tommy Taylor is a firm advocate of the hard work ethic and believes success can only be achieved through putting his squad through a punishing training schedule.

"The players are on the training ground for 9.30am and they won't leave until at least 3.45pm every day," said Taylor.

"As players, we have to be super fit in this league if you want to do anything.

"I've just been doing the normal pre-season I always did at Leyton Orient. There's been no complaints, the lads have been fantastic."

His side's first game was on Thursday against Halifax Town at the Quakers' training ground, and today Darlington come up against Kingstonian (3pm) before playing either Second Division Brentford or Aldershot at the same ground tomorrow. Those two sides play each other at Kingstonian this morning (11.30am).

Quakers visit West Auckland on Wednesday (kick-off 7pm) and then Newcastle United on Friday, but before then Darlington may arrange another training ground match against Durham City on Tuesday after the game at New Ferens Park was cancelled.

Admission for each match at Kingstonian, whose Kingsmeadow ground is in Kingston Road, is £5, but two-day passes for all four games cost £16 and passes are available on the day. The third place play-off and final games kick-off at 11.30am and 3pm respectively.

Tickets for Quakers' match at home to Newcastle this Friday, kick-off 7pm, are now on general sale but fans are reminded that the visitors have been allocated the whole of the South Terrace.

Ticket prices: North Terrace and West Paddock £5 and £2 (concessions). East Stand and West Stand seats £6 and £3 (concessions). The club shop is open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm and today from 10am-4pm.

The Darlington Supporters Trust, who yesterday unveiled a Farewell to Feethams exhibition at the town's arts centre, have set-up a sponsor-a-goal scheme for the forthcoming season with proceeds being split between Darlington's youth development scheme and a local organisation yet to be named.

There will be six categories including individual player's total, club total, penalties, inside and outside the six-yard box and outside the 18-yard box.

Forms will be distributed at the home pre-season friendlies against Newcastle on July 19 and Huddersfield on August 2. More details on 07748 778593.

Read more about the Quakers here.