Darlington chairman George Reynolds has told fans that he's fulfilled his side of the bargain - and now it's time to fulfill theirs.

Speaking at a packed fans' forum, Reynolds told fans that the key to future success is in their hands. "Two years ago when I took over, I made four promises to the fans," he said.

"I've paid the debt off, built a new stadium, tidied up the playing staff and kept admission prices low. I have kept every promise.

"It is up to the fans now to keep their part of the deal. Last season, they were ridiculing me, Gary Bennett and the club - they are only ridiculing themselves, because it wasn't helping our players.

"I don't want any of that in the new season - I want the fans to get behind the club.

"I am a true supporter. I have a dream to take Darlington up the leagues. We will have a stadium to be proud of for the first time in our lives when it's finished - my priority is to invest for higher than the Third and Second Divisions."

Reynolds revealed that Quakers have now sold around 1,400 season tickets, and that he would be happy if 3,000 were sold, especially as next season's ticket holders will be entitled to a free ticket in the new stadium.

Reynolds admitted that the team needs strengthening, and he invited one questioner to trawl through the PFA release list in front of the audience for suggestions.

"We need three first class players, but we're not going to sign rubbish,'' he declared.

"We're searching high and low for them, but we don't want has-beens - we're going to check them thoroughly and methodically.

"We've already signed Neil Maddison, but we need at least a couple more. I'll spend money on players if they're the right ones.

"We're looking at players all the time, but the problem is that somebody else is always interested."

Reynolds also backed under-fire manager Gary Bennett, whom he advised to not attend the forum. "I told him to stay away, because certain people wanted to embarrass him, and that wouldn't have been fair on him or the fans.

"We must give Gary a chance. I think he and Mick Tait will do well, because they work well together.

"Gary has said that he will work without a contract in the new season, and that he is going for it, because he wants to prove to the fans and the club that he can do the job.

"And if he doesn't succeed, then he'll walk.

"I would love to give them contracts if they do it, but Gary wants to prove to himself that he can do it.

"In three years time, we will have a difficult job hanging on to him."

Bennett's contract ran out at the end of the season, and talks were planned earlier in the summer about a renewal.

* Juan Sebastian Veron could complete his record £23.5million move to Manchester United from Lazio at the start of next week.

The deal, which would smash the British transfer record, is back on after Veron was cleared by the Italian FA of illegally obtaining a European Union passport.

The finishing touches to the transfer could be done by the beginning of next week when United are expected to meet again with Veron's agent, Gustavo Mascardi. Mascardi is currently on holiday with Veron in Miami.

Read more about the Quakers here.