DARLINGTON have signed a boatload of players, the chairman wants promotion and the fans are full of expectation - it must be August, then.

It's customary for football fans to suffer from an annual bout of optimism at this time of year but Quakers fans could be forgiven for becoming a little tired of believing this is our year'.

This is the fourth consecutive summer they have looked ahead with genuine reason to believe a longawaited promotion is within Quakers' grasp with some supporters believing if we're not promoted this year then we never will be'.

Making 12 summer signings, including splashing out £100,000 on a striker in Pawel Abbott, is bound to stir up hope, especially when the manager has a proven track record in the lower divisions.

But expectant fans would do well to heed the warnings from recent failures.

During 2004/05 and 05/06 David Hodgson brought in the likes of Clyde Wijnhard, Craig Hignett and Alun Armstrong but managed just two eighthplace finishes. Last season, despite a change of manager early on and the arrival of Julian Joachim, 11th was all Quakers could manage.

But, if any fans require a reality check, look no further than the 1999/00 season because the similarities with this summer are clear.

Pre-season saw Hodgson, backed by George Reynolds, bring in the likes of Andy Collett, Neil Aspin, Martin Gray and Neal Heaney with the focus clearly on promotion.

Quakers started in good form, winning the first three matches and losing just one of the opening nine - a run which set Hodgson's side up for a memorable season, culminating in a Wembley play-off final defeat.

But the difference between then and now is that Hodgson already had the basis of a good side, including Craig Liddle, Steve Tutill and Marco Gabbiadini.

Penney, however, has started almost from scratch so he's going to have to hope his team gels quickly. But the signs have not been promising.

Pre-season performances have been mixed and goals have been scarce.

Perhaps not too much should be read into pre-season friendlies, but the fact is Quakers created little in most of their games against league opposition, with the lack of threat from wide areas of most concern.

However, the new defence has looked sound and should improve as the new players forge an understanding, so Darlington could be set for a series of low-scoring games.

Should Penney's team start the season less than spectacularly, some fans could soon grow impatient and perhaps the ambitious chairman would too.

Should that be the case, bear in mind Hartlepool's poor start last season - and look how they finished.