The fixtures for the new season have been announced -- and Quakers start with an away game at newly promoted Farsley on Saturday 3rd August!

The game will mean a reunion with two former Darlington players, Nathan Cartman and David Syers, who helped Farsley to promotion last season.

The Farsley game is quickly followed by home clashes against two more new clubs to the division -- Gateshead on Wednesday 7th August and Kettering on Saturday 10th August. We're at Curzon Ashton on Monday 12th August, which means that we have four games in the opening nine days of the season.

Blyth Spartans, Alun Armstrong's old club, visit on Wednesday 4th September.

Our Boxing Day and New Year's Day games are against neighbours Spennymoor Town.

Our fixtures are:

Saturday 3rd August: Farsley Celtic (a)

Wednesday 7th August: Gateshead (h)

Saturday 10th August: Kettering (h)

Monday 12th August: Curzon Ashton (a)

Saturday 17th August: Southport (h)

Saturday 24th August: Altrincham (a)

Monday 26th August: Bradford PA (h)

Saturday 31st August: King's Lynn (a)

Wednesday 4th September: Blyth Spartans (h)

Saturday 7th September: Gloucester City (a)

Saturday 14th September: York City (h)

Saturday 21st September: Emirates FA Cup 2Q

Saturday 28th September: Alfreton (a)

Saturday 5th October: Emirates FA Cup 3Q

Saturday 12th October: Boston (h)

Saturday 19th October: Kidderminster (h) (Emirates FA Cup 4Q)

Saturday 26th October: Guiseley (a)

Saturday 2nd November: Hereford (h)

Saturday 9th November: Leamington (a)

Saturday 16th November: Brackley (a)

Saturday 23rd November: Buildbase FA Trophy 3Q

Saturday 30th November: AFC Telford United (h)

Saturday 7th December: Chester (h)

Saturday 14th December: Buildbase FA Trophy 1

Saturday 21st December: York City (a)

Thursday 26th December: Spennymoor Town (h)

Saturday 28th December: Blyth Spartans (a)

Wednesday 1st January: Spennymoor Town (a)

Saturday 4th January: Gloucester City (h)

Saturday 11th January: Boston (a)

Saturday 18th January: Alfreton (h)

Saturday 25th January: Chester (a)

Saturday 1st February: Guiseley (h)

Saturday 8th February: Kidderminster (a)

Saturday 15th February: Leamington (h)

Saturday 22nd February: Hereford (a)

Saturday 29th February: Brackley (h)

Saturday 7th March: AFC Telford United (a)

Saturday 14th March: Farsley Celtic (h)

Saturday 21st March: Gateshead (a)

Saturday 28th March: Curzon Ashton (h)

Saturday 4th April: Kettering (a)

Friday 10th April: Bradford PA (a)

Monday 13th April: Altrincham (h)

Saturday 18th April: Southport (a)

Saturday 25th April: King's Lynn (h)

Why not sponsor one of the above matches, sponsor the matchball or be a mascot? Drop Craig Morley a line on commercial@darlingtonfc.org

Don't forget our first friendly of pre season against Motherwell this Saturday at Blackwell Meadows, kick off 2pm.

FA Cup dates:

Extra preliminary round:  August 10^th

Preliminary round: August 24^th

First qualifying round: September 7^th

Second qualifying round: September 21^st

Third qualifying round: October 5^th

Fourth qualifying round: October 19^th

First round proper: November 9^th

Second round proper: November 30^th

Third round proper: January 4^th

FA Trophy dates:

Extra preliminary round: September 28^th

Preliminary round October 12^th

First qualifying round: October 26^th

Second qualifying round: November 9^th

Third qualifying round: November 23^rd

First round proper: December 14^th

Second round proper: January 11^th

Third round proper: February 8^th

Fourth round proper: February 29^th

Semi final 1^st leg: March 21^st

Semi final 2^nd leg: March 28^th

Final: May 17th