Darlington boss Tommy Taylor has thanked the club's fans for their support.

After Monday's defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle when the visitors clinched the Division Three title with a convincing 4-1 win, around 500 fans remained after the game and chanted for the team, and in particular Craig Liddle.

Around 20 minutes after the final whistle they were rewarded when the captain emerged at the top of the East Stand to address the fans, and Taylor admits he found their backing astonishing.

"They were out on the pitch cheering for the team so long after the game," Taylor said.

"I couldn't believe it to tell you the truth. What more can I say about them? The club hasn't had a good season because of injuries and the fans all wanted to see the players.

"It wouldn't have been like that at Orient. They'd have stayed behind for ten minutes and then they'd have gone.

"I knew the North-East fans were supposed to be committed but I never expected them to be as mad keen as they've been at Darlington."

Meanwhile, the boss has lent his support to The Supporters Trust which has been set-up by Darlington fans with the aim of assisting the club in as many ways as possible. He said: "If the Supporters Trust helps the club in any way at all I'm all for it.

"Anything that's going to help the club I'm all for, and if they want to help the youth side of the club, that's excellent."

The Trust has only been in existence since September but it is already involved in fundraising for the club and community, particularly the youth development side of Darlington.

The Farewell to Feethams project, which involves a photographic exhibition to celebrate the club and fans at the ground, was set-up by the Trust while it has also been active in organising a girls' soccer coaching scheme over the summer as well as writing workshops with local children. Acting secretary of the Trust, Peter Ashmore, said: "Since its formation last year, we now have over 130 members striving to promote Darlington Football Club and its fans within the community and town of Darlington; trying to put something back into both."

To find out more about the Trust go to www.darlotrust.co.uk or for membership forms send an SAE to: Darlington Supporters' Trust, 50 Newlands Road, Darlington, DL3 9JW.

* A game between reserves and triallists takes place this afternoon at Feethams (2pm).

* Darlington fans can buy tickets for Saturday's last game of the season at Oxford in advance from the Feethams club shop at a discounted rate. Tickets bought this week will cost £14 (adults) and £8.50 (under 16s and OAPs) - a saving of £3 and £2.50 respectively.

* Chris Turner last night saluted Darrell Clarke as Hartlepool United gear up for a play-off assault.

Pool go to Exeter on Saturday needing three points in the hope that either Rushden or Shrewsbury slip-up.

And after Clark bagged a hat-trick last Saturday to send Pool into the final game of the season on a high with a 7-1 win over Swansea, Turner said: "Darrell is Tommy Miller mark II, he can get forward, he gets back. The only difference is that Tommy is taller and wins more headers."

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