In his first in-depth newspaper interview, Darlington Football Club chairman Stewart Davies yesterday told Stuart Mackintosh of his hopes for a prosperous new season - on and off the field - for the Quakers.

FOR an astute businessman who freely admits that he only reluctantly acquired a football club, Stewart Davies has a remarkable enthusiasm for the coming season.

Dressed in a smart pin-stripe suit, the Darlington chairman stood by the touchline and surveyed the club's impressive Neasham Road home with obvious pride yesterday.

It is just over a year since Mr Davies stepped in at the 11th hour to rescue the Quakers from the threat of liquidation.

Back then, it would have been fair to suggest that his knowledge of the beautiful game would not have gained him a pundit's job in the Match of the Day studio.

Now, Mr Davies talks football with all the relish of a die-hard fan.

And he is unequivocal about his own position at the helm of Darlington FC.

"This club is not for sale," he said, in response to speculation over the summer that he could be preparing to make an exit.

So, now in it for the long haul, Mr Davies is determined to make a success of the business. But he admits that football is an industry like no other.

"I have loaned money to half a dozen clubs, all of which are still trading and all of which were able to pay me back - apart from Darlington," he said.

"I became a reluctant investor in Darlington and an even more reluctant chairman.

"It's difficult to enjoy a business where the effort and the investment are not rewarded equally.

"In other businesses, if you have the right investment and the right type of people, you can be sure of results.

"Football is a hard game and it doesn't give you that certainty."

One certainty for the coming season is that the string of supporter-friendly initiatives started by the new regime last year will continue.

Mr Davies extols the virtues of a 48 square metre screen - the biggest in the Football League - being installed in the north-east corner of the stadium, to offer action replays and fans' interaction.

"We can guarantee fans that they will see more goals at Darlington than anywhere else - we'll just keep rewinding the tape," he said with a smile.

The long-awaited Carling Cup clash between arch-rivals Hartlepool United and Darlington, at Victoria Park on August 23, could even be seen live at the Quakers' ground.

"We are in negotiations with Tyne Tees TV to beam the match back - if there's an overspill at Victoria Park we will accommodate our fans here. I'll keep the cost down to a minimum," said Mr Davies.

The chairman also agreed to switch the club's match against Notts County to a Friday night in September - to avoid clashing with the Wales versus England World Cup qualifier the next day.

The theme of supporter interaction is a recurring one. Fans will now be able to use mobile phones to text in their man-of-the-match nominations, with a supporter chosen to present the winner with his accolade. More initiatives with local schools will also be arranged.

Discussions with the borough council about more parking spaces at the stadium are ongoing.

Ultimately, though, the number of fans coming through the turnstiles could depend on success on the pitch. So what does Mr Davies make of his club's prospects?

"David Hodgson tells me he has the best team he has ever seen for the start of a season," he said.

"We have provided a budget which David is using very wisely and it is a budget which will enable him to provide Darlington with a team capable of winning this league. It's up to him and them how they go about that."

Mr Davies added that money would be available to strengthen the team, if necessary, in the January transfer window.

He may be a reluctant owner and one keen to avoid the limelight, but, under Stewart Davies, Darlington FC could be making headlines for all the right reasons this season.