DARLINGTON yesterday sprang a surprise by releasing centre-half Neil Aspin.

The 35-year-old defender was signed by Quakers during the summer of 1999 from Port Vale, where he had played for ten years.

He was a regular for most of last season, and until Christmas had missed just two League games because of injury and suspension.

But the form of youngster Mark Kilty prevented his return. He had to be content with a place on the bench last Saturday at Plymouth, and wasn't in the squad against Shrewsbury in the LDV Vans Trophy in midweek.

A statement from club public relations director Luke Raine said: "It has been mutually agreed to terminate his contract. The reason for the decision is down to the fact that Neil felt he would be figuring less and less in the club's plans.

"Due to our policy of involving younger players to a greater extent, Neil's reasoning was that at his age to carry on his playing career he needed to be playing first team football on a regular basis.

"The club did not wish to deter Neil in his ambitions."

At the start of the season, Aspin indicated that he wanted to become more involved with coaching, and assisted with the reserves.

Aspin, and manager Gary Bennett, were both unavailable for comment last night.

Meanwhile former chairman Bernard Lowery yesterday appealed to fans to abandon their planned protest against owner George Reynolds.

A section of disenchanted fans are planning to protest peacefully before tomorrow's home game against Chesterfield over the running of the club, but Lowery reckons that they have "poor memories".

"It's less than two years since this club was facing closure because of the mounting debt. We were £5m in the red, and facing court action from several people because of non-payment of bills.

"The players weren't paid for seven weeks, and there was a real chance that they would have walked out on the club, which would have ended its 113-year existence.

"The vice-chairman, Gordon Hodgson, and I spent a month desperately trying to find a saviour for the club without success, until we spoke to George.

"The achievements he has made since then have been well documented - the start of a new stadium, relaying the pitch at Feethams and the payment of significant debts.

"Should George be driven out of the club by constant criticism, can anyone really see a benefactor appearing who would make the same kind of commitment financially or otherwise? Or would they prefer a situation such as the one the fans at Carlisle are facing?"

The club are optimistic that tomorrow's game will still go ahead.

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