Another season is now behind us and it's strange that attentions focus forward to the following season as soon as the final ball is kicked.

In our case we have been looking forward to next season for a while now as the final months of 2008/09 certainly didn't go how any of us wanted.

We were handily-placed but threw it away, but mulling over what might have been is dangerous and we can only look ahead to the challenges which lie in front of us.

We must thank Joe Royle who came in and has given us as a board some fantastic advice and the benefit of his considerable experience within the game.

As Joe himself has said, the plan was never for him to take over full-time and we feel we have made a fantastic appointment in Dave Penney.

We have already welcomed Dave to the club and he will be back around the club on Monday after a short family holiday.

Dave and Joe have already sat down to discuss the best way forward and I know Dave has some exciting plans and ways of doing things in the pipeline.

Joe has given the new man a glowing reference - he is very impressed with the way Dave has gone about his work so far and certainly no-one can question his track record.

Dave achieved two successive promotions with Doncaster and would have had Darlington in the play-offs this season had they not been deducted ten points.

Much has been made of the budget for playing staff this season.  Clubs have to cut their cloth accordingly due to the current financial situation but our ambition for this club remains undiminished.

The new manager has some decisions to make regarding the out of contract players and we will be letting him get his house in order.  There will be no interference from us as a board.

I believe we have the foundations for success here; with some judicious additions and budgeting in the summer we can be a contender again next year and hopefully go one better.

The division will be tough and we will be relying on getting some bargains, either on free transfers or from non-league sides.  Historically we haven't really had a good track record with bringing players from non-league and I know that is one of Dave's strengths.

He has a good eye for a player and for a bargain and I feel he will make the very most of the resources available to him.

As ever your support is vital because the funds available for players are directly linked to season ticket sales.  Tickets are on sale now and I would urge fans everywhere to buy a season ticket if they are undecided or wavering on whether to do so.

If you pledge your support in numbers we can make sure we have the strongest possible product on the pitch.  Myself and Simon Blitz want to see this club in the Championship and we need your help to achieve that goal.

Rest assured that you'll find out all the signing and contract news here on the official website, so keep logging on to get all the latest.  Enjoy the summer and see you in August (or July, when the friendlies start!)

Cheers,

Simon.