Story added by Kevin Luff - 9th February 2007

Joey Hutchinson leaves Quakers

Darlington have released defender Joey Hutchinson ending his three-and-a-half year association with the club.

The 24 year-old centre-half hasn't featured since Dave Penney arrived at the Darlington Arena back in October because of injury.

Hutchinson's contract ran out at the end of December and the Middlesbrough-born stopper had been operating on a week-to-week contract.

Quakers' boss, Dave Penney, said: "It has been frustrating for Joey that he hasn't been able to show me what he is capable of as he has been out injured since I arrived. As a football manager, there are always difficult decisions to make and this was one of them. We have told Joey that he is welcome to continue to use our facilities to try and help him get fit again and once his rehabilitation is complete everyone hopes he will be able to find a new club. On behalf of Darlington Football Club I would like to thank him for all his efforts during his time here and wish him all the very best for the future."