Glen Robertson takes a look at Darlington's next visitors as Mark Cooper prepares to travel to Northern League side Whitley Bay tonight…
Last Season
Whitley Bay returned to Wembley and kept the F.A. Vase safely in their grasp for the second successive year after a 6-1 thumping of Wroxham. They backed that success up with winning the Northumberland Senior Cup and finishing third for the third-straight year in the Northern League Division One.
Pre-Season
Whitley Bay won their first three friendlies, 2-1 against Durham City, 1-0 versus Glossop North-End and 3-0 over Chester-le-Street, before losing 2-1 to North Shields and playing out a 2-2 draw with Blue Square North side Workington in the space of two days.
Summer Business
The sale of captain Leon Ryan to rivals Spennymoor Town will leave a hole in the heart of Bay's back-line, while one of the goalscorers at Wembley, Josh Gillies, has joined Gateshead.
Niall McCardle and Steve Gibson have arrived to help strengthen the defence, while Gary Ormston and David Pounder have signed from Consett. Chris Reid and Richard Hodgeson have left Hillheads Park.
Manager
Ian Chandler is a legend at Hillheads Park. Not only has he led Bay to consecutive F.A. Vase victories at Wembley, he netted the winner in 2002 when the Seahorses first won the competition with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Tiptree United.
He scored over 150 other goals during his playing time at the club which puts him third in the all-time scoring list. He was named Northern League Manager of the Year last season after his exploits.
Players to Watch
Paul Robinson
Robinson was named BBC Newcastle Player of the Year and was runner-up for the Northern League Player of the Year as well as being named player of the year by his club, its supporters and his team-mates.
The attacking-midfielder also picked up goal of the season for a strike from inside his own-half against Norton & Stockton. He drives the team forward and is a threat around the box.
Adam Johnston
He was Bay's top goalscorer last season. He was on the score-sheet at Wembley and helped set up Lee Kerr for his goal. However, he is just as famous for one he missed than the many he has scored.
In the 2009 Vase final, his spectacular 60 yard shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the Glossop North-End 'keeper Matt Cooper.
Only a few millimetres prevented Johnston from one of the great Wembley goals.
Thomas Kindley
The young 'keeper was named Young Player of the Year after some impressive performances between the sticks.
There were rumours of a dream move to Sunderland during the summer but he's still at Hillheads Park for this season.
He will compete with club legend Terry Burke for the 'keeper's jersey so will be looking to impress when called upon.
Team News
Whitley Bay came out of their friendly with Workington on Saturday injury-free, so they will be near full strength.
Steve Gibson was injured at North Shields on Friday night and is doubtful for the game.
Chandler will have to pick between Kindley and Burke to play in goal, and whether to start Richard Goodman and Paul Chow after they both netted after coming off the bench against Workington.
