MOST North-East football fans have suffered disappointment this month. Middlesbrough were thumped by Seville, Sunderland were confirmed as the worst team in Premiership history, Hartlepool were relegated and Darlington missed out on the play-offs.

Sadly, fans of Copper Beech were left distraught too as their side were overtaken at the final hurdle in the race for the remaining division three promotion place.

Brown Trout's win over Royal British Legion on the last day saw them leapfrog us for their first ever promotion. Congratulations, albeit through gritted teeth, to a good set of lads.

Few could begrudge them it after beating us three times during the season, and now the Trout will hope that they are not a fish out of water in the league above.

HOWEVER good news did come for Copper fans in the rather large form of Neil Parkinson being appointed as the new assistant manager.

Parko has been brought in to take the pressure off manager Al Curry, who currently has to do everything from collecting subs to picking the team.

His coaching background would leave Glenn Roeder green with envy, having been involved with Darlington FC's Football in the Community scheme a few years ago and running a half-time penalty competition at Feethams.

He's looking forward to bringing his experience and input to Copper's assault on Division Three next season; but little does he know that he's actually just been brought in to wash the kits.

PARKO, it's fair to say, loves a night out, so he may well be at the biggest night of them all as the league's presentation night takes place tomorrow.

As with the past few years, it will be held in a marquee at the Brinkburn Road home of Darlington RA and prizes will be handed out to league champions, top goalscorers and star players.

Fans will queue outside to see their heroes walk up the red carpet and see the outfits that the players are wearing. What shade of pink polo shirt will MN All Stars' Nick Enfield choose? Will Cleveland Bridge all turn up in their team tracksuits?

The answers and prize-winners will be revealed from 7.45pm and all players are welcome.

SO this is the final column of the season and, regrettably, the last ever. Next term, King of the Wing will go the same way as Affinity Healthcare and numerous other teams throughout the years in biting the dust.

Unlike many of them, though, it's not so much due to lack of players, lack of interest or indeed lack of success having fought off competition of, erm, nobody, to win the league's prestigious Columnist of the Year award last year.

But my deal at the newly renamed Wheatsheaf FC for next season is purely pay-as-you-play (ie I pay my subs when they're short), hence the column coming to an end.

Thanks to everyone who has read and contributed to the column over the past two seasons. See you all at Hundens Lane. .

Published: 19/05/06