Darlington reserve team coach Gary Bennett and his assistant Jimmy Montgomery have left the club.

The pair were out of contract and become the latest to leave the club this summer following the departures of seven players who had also reached the end of their contracts.

Since David Hodgson brought Bennett to the club in 1998 he had served as player, reserve team coach and first-team manager, while Montgomery, who has been involved with the reserve team, also coached the club's goalkeepers.

Bennett made 39 appearances for the club and in August 2000 took on his first management role which lasted until October last year, when Tommy Taylor arrived as Bennett reverted to reserve team coach, where he had previously tasted success.

In season 1999/2000 Bennett steered the second string to a Pontins League and Durham Cup double before being asked to fill the post made vacant by Hodgson's departure, but he did not get the easiest of rides in the Darlington hot seat. Fans never warmed to Bennett, but at the club's infamous fans' forum in February - when the players stormed out after comments made by the chairman's wife Susan Reynolds - the former Carlisle and Scarborough defender was branded an "unsung hero".

A club statement released yesterday said: "We can confirm that Jim Montgomery and Gary Bennett have parted company with Darlington Football Club.

"Gary is at the end of his contract and we are not renewing it.

"Gary is an exceptionally good coach, which he showed when leading our reserve team to a trophy.

"Our thanks also go to him for all his efforts under difficult circumstances.

"Jim was approaching the end of his contract and it was felt that he had earned his retirement.

"With the new stadium development coming along with a payroll of 200 employees we hope we may find a place for him in the future.

"We would like to thank Jim for all his effort, it's very much appreciated.

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