DAVE Penney yesterday stepped up his search for new players with the appointment of Nigel Brown as Darlington's chief scout, writes LEE HALL.

Since the end of the season Penney has already signed six players and has now enlisted the help of the vastly-experienced Brown.

The former Blackburn Rovers scout, who spent 12 years at Ewood Park, and has also worked with Penney at Doncaster, arrived at the 96.6TFM Darlington Arena several weeks ago.

His appointment was made official yesterday, although Brown has already set about the task of recommending new players to Penney.

"We have agents phoning all the time and I have a dossier of players who I have seen last season and the season before so it's a case of seeing if all these names fit and fit into the way Dave wants to play," said Brown.

"A lot of people are on holiday so it's a case of finding people who are free to talk.

"Its going to be hectic but we really want to get things moving this week if we can."

Brown also spent five years working for Paul Jewell at Wigan, as well as two seasons with Coventry City under Gary McAllister.

Recently he has been operating on a freelance basis before he was approached by Penney to join Darlington on a full-time basis.

He said: "When Gary (McAllister) had to resign I worked with other clubs but the scouts I've had have always stuck with me so I have Scotland, Ireland, the south of England, the midlands and the north covered and they report back to me.

"Some of them have been with me for 15 years and they have great knowledge."