NEW Darlington manager Colin Todd’s brief is not only to build a squad from scratch, but also to try and “put a smile back on supporters’ faces”.

In recent months fans have seen Quakers’ promotion hopes disappear and their club almost cease to exist after going into administration.

Todd is aware of the disappointment with events of late and, when officially unveiled at The Northern Echo Darlington Arena yesterday, he immediately vowed to attempt to give fans something to be happy about.

The former Middlesbrough boss also asked for patience as he sets about the task putting together a new Quakers squad.

Ricky Ravenhill, Jason Kenendy and Rob Purdie have all left while several others are wanted elsewhere, including Alan White who has been targeted by Luton Town.

Todd admits he faces a testing time at what is the sixth English club he has managed.

He said: “I’ve got to build a squad that will take us forward but it’s going to take time – people have got to be patient and we’ve got to remain positive. We’ve got to try and get a smile back on people’s face and get people to come to the stadium.

“The squad that gets put together will be on a budget a lot less than there as been but I’ll just have to get on with it.

“There’s got to be belief that we will make things happen.

There’s bridges to built as well in terms of getting the right message across to people.

There’s been a lot of negativity in the football club and we’ve got to get rid of that, we’ve got to be positive.

“The most important thing is that the club has survived and it will kick on from here.”

Todd is not only tasked with rebuilding the squad, but he must also recruit a groundsman, a kitman and a physiotherapist – all victims of administration – while the bulk of the club’s pre-season fixtures need to be arranged.

Although Darlington’s future has been secured, Todd has a vastly reduced budget to work with.

But he still hopes to retain the services of captain Steve Foster and Ian Miller.

Todd, who met the squad yesterday, said: “I’ve spoken to the skipper and I think we will come to some agreement with him.

“Kennedy and Purdie have left and the big-earners will have to move on. I would like to have held on to some of those players but because of circumstances we couldn’t.

“I hope the skipper will stay and Ryan Valentine will stay.

“I took the job knowing there were problems in terms of players leaving. I spoke to the players this morning, the ones in contract and the ones whose contracts have expired.

“Some of them have been big earners at this club which we will have to sacrifice or they may get better contracts elsewhere. It’s unfortunate but that’s how it is.

“It was important to speak to them, to get the message across that I want to take this club forward. They needed to be told what was going on by myself rather than reading it in the papers because there has been a lack of communication.

I think they appreciated that and the response was very good.”

Having managed Middlesbrough, Bolton, Swindon, Derby and Bradford, Todd’s most recent managerial post saw him spend 18 months as boss of Randers in Denmark.

That rein ended in January, since when the Chester-le- Street-based 60-year-old has been waiting for his next challenge.

“Being a manager is something that I really enjoy doing and I’d rather be involved with a football club than just go to matches,” said Todd.

“I’ve been in this kind of situation before, first with Middlesbrough and then at Bradford.

I know how difficult it’s going to be. We’ll just have to asses as we go along.

“If we work together and pull in the right direction we will be fine.”