Darlington were yesterday given a boost when defender Craig Liddle committed himself to another year at the club.

Liddle, rated as one of the best in the division, has been in talks this week over a new deal, and has agreed to stay for at least another year.

That will come as welcome relief to the fans, who regard the player as crucial to Quakers' success, and will also be a blow to Hartlepool, Stoke and Barnsley who were all chasing him.

Meanwhile, Darlington chairman George Reynolds has reassured the fans about the immediate future of the club - and asked them for their full support.

Fans have become increasingly concerned over the last fortnight as several players have left the club including star striker Marco Gabbiadini, but Reynolds revealed a list of nine players who have been targeted.

Top of the list is former Sunderland striker Craig Russell, on loan at Feethams last season, as well as keeper Darren Bullock from Barnsley, and outfield players Mark Ford (ex-Leeds), Jon O'Connor (ex- Sheffield United), Mark Angel (West Brom), Stuart Elliott (Newcastle), Eddie Duer (Carshalton) Willie Vaiganen (Finland) and Tom Kaak (Holland).

"We are looking at these players with a view to strengthening the squad for the new season," said Reynolds. "The manager, will be negotiating with these players to see if he can bring them in."

But Reynolds denied that Charlton striker Clive Mendonca is on the wanted list.

However he added a note of caution about the level of financial expectations. "I realise that the fans are demanding, but we cannot go on forever spending money the way we were last season.

"The main reason for the increase in season ticket prices is that the club must be self-sufficient and stand on its own two feet. Last season, we cut the prices to generate interest in the club, and that policy worked.

"Last season cost me £1.5m, and I can't keep subsidising the club like that.

"The ticket prices are still amongst the lowest in the league, and they are at a lower level than they were two years ago.

"I am still very committed to the future of the club, and I badly want it to succeed."

And he asked the fans to give the club their full support.

"I would like the fans to continue to support us in a positive manner," he said. "I have virtually lived this club for the last year, and without me a year ago, there would have been no club at all.

"But I need it to be a partnership between the directors, the management, the players and the fans. The fans can have just as much input as the players, people who work on the factory floor are just as important."

And Reynolds defended the decision to let Gabbiadini leave. "Marco made it obvious that he wanted to move. We offered him a substantial increase in salary which would have made him the highest paid player at the club, but he was adamant he wanted to go."

Striker Peter Duffield had a medical at York yesterday, and is expected to sign a two-year deal.

The club has published a list of pre-season friendlies. July 14 Youth team away at Wensleydale, July 15 Billingham Town (away, 3pm) July 19 Whitley Bay (away, 7.30) July 21 Durham City (away, 7pm), July 24 Stoke City (IOM, 3pm) July 25 Bury (IOM, 3pm) July 28/29 possible play off/final (IOM) August 5/6 Minster Carpet Cup at Scarborough, with Siol and Newcastle United reserves, August 9 South Shields (away, 7.30) August 11 Newcastle youth (away) August 15 Barrow (away, 7.30