Quakers begin their season with a home game against Curzon Ashton at Blackwell Meadows, and looking for their first home win over them in four attempts.

Curzon have won on their last three visits to Blackwell Meadows going back to 2018, and Quakers want to end that run on Saturday.

Team news:

Alun includes six new signings in his squad for the game

• Toby Lees
• Tom Platt
• Mitchell Curry
• Kenzie Harker
• Cameron Salkeld
• Jordan Mustoe

Jordan Windass has a slight hamstring injury and will have a fitness test.

Jacob Hazel missed the last pre season friendly because of a delayed family holiday, due to his involvement in Concacaf with St Kitts and Nevis, but he is available for selection.

Here are Alun's thoughts on the game:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/alun-we-cant-wait-for-the-season-to-start-1

League position last season: 10^th (67 points from 46 games)

Previous first day's results:

2022-23 Darlington 3 Gloucester 1

2021-22 Darlington 2 Alfreton 3

2017-18 Salford 0 Darlington 2

2012-13 Bishop Auckland 1 Darlington 3

2003-04 Hull City 4 Darlington 1

We are obliged by the FA to issue advice about behaviour:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/implementation-of-dfc-action-plan

We have also created an anti-discrimination charter

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/club-launches-anti-discrimination-charter

and there is a number that you can text to report discrimination and abuse

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/club-launches-report-discrimination-text-service

Curzon Ashton

League position last season: 13^th (65 points from 46 games)

Manager: Adam Lakeland

New signings in their squad:

• Alex Kenyon (Chester)
• Stefan Mols (Warrington)
• Cameron Mason (Guiseley)
• Isaac Sinclair (Bamber Bridge)
• Miles Storey (Hereford)

Striker Jimmy Spencer is missing because of injury

Last season:

April 2023 Darlington 0 Curzon Ashton 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6L_xeb-oqM

December 2022 Curzon Ashton 0 Darlington 2 (Hazel, Lambert)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiBn99H2IvY

April 2022 Darlington 0 Curzon Ashton 2

August 2021 Curzon Ashton 2 Darlington 1 (Cassidy)

October 2020 Curzon Ashton 0 Darlington 3 (Campbell, Reid, Rivers)

August 2019 Curzon Ashton 3 Darlington 1 (O’Neill)

January 2019 Curzon Ashton 1 Darlington 1 (Elliott)

August 2018 Darlington 1 (Ainge) Curzon Ashton 2

March 2018 Darlington 1 (Syers) Curzon Ashton 0

You can follow today’s game on Darlo Fans Radio, Twitter and the official website