Darlington season ticket holders will be able to see the first pre-season friendly at Feethams free of charge when Newcastle United provide the opposition.

Quakers say they have sold just under 1000 season tickets so far and anyone with a season ticket must obtain a Newcastle match ticket from the club shop during a priority period which will be between July 6 and 9.

From July 10 onwards tickets will be on general sale. East Stand season ticket holders who wish to reserve their seat for the Newcastle game must get a ticket from the club shop during the priority period.

The Magpies have been allocated all of the South Terrace for a game which Newcastle will be sending a reserve side as their first-team squad will be on a break in Holland at the time.

Prices are £5 and £2 for the North Terrace and West Paddock, £6 and £3 for the East Stand seats and West Stand.

CHRIS Turner last night rubbished stories linking him with the vacant manager's job at Huddersfield.

Hartlepool boss Turner, who has led his side to the play-offs in each of the last three seasons, was reported to be in the frame to replace Lou Macari at the McAlpine Stadium.

But the Pool chief - who had his players back for pre-season training this week - said: "I don't know where these rumours come from. It's a bit of a pain.

"It's a distraction from the main job at hand, which is getting ready for the new season. It really isn't helpful to have all of these rumours being spread and me having to deny them."

Former Carlisle manager Roddy Collins yesterday revealed he is on a shortlist of three for the job and last weekend the Second Division club admitted they had no plans to make any approaches for managers already under contract as they had been impressed by the standards of applicants for the post.

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