Darlington play their first fixture of the new campaign on Monday night as they welcome Leeds United. The Carling Cup first round game, which is featured live on Sky Sports, will give fans the first opportunity to see Colin Todd's side in home action this season.
The two sides have met regularly over the last few years in friendly fixtures and two seasons ago were drawn together in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. That game, which was also featured live on Sky, attracted a bumper crowd of nearly 8,000 people to the Northern Echo Arena. Quakers will be hoping of a similarly big crowd for this outing.
Both Leeds and Darlington have changed significantly since that Johnstone's Paint Trophy fixture. Several members of the Leeds team from that evening are now plying their trade elsewhere. Gary McAllister has also made way. He was replaced by former Blackpool boss Simon Grayson in the Elland Road hot-seat who is embarking upon his first full season in charge of the club.
Darlington's team has of course radically changed since then. Only skipper Steve Foster and defender Ian Miller are still at the club from that night.
Both sides have of course met in this competition before. Thirteen years ago Leeds met Darlington in the League Cup at Elland Road.
Back then Leeds were a Premiership outfit and Darlington twice came from behind as the game finished 2-2. Rod Wallace scored twice for the home side but Quakers equalised through Darren Roberts and then Robbie Painter. Darlington were of course beaten in the second leg but it was none the less a magical night for the 2,000 travelling supporters.
Darlington will have to decide if they make any changes from the team which was beaten 3-1 at Aldershot. Sunderland striker David Dowson looked impressive when he came off the bench. Leeds meanwhile will be without Rui Marques. The central defender has been called up for international duty and will link up with the Angolan squad in Portugal ahead of Wednesday's clash with Togo in Lisbon. Fellow centre-back Patrick Kisnorbo has already been ruled out of the game after being called up for the Australian squad.
Darlington's game with Leeds United takes place on Monday with a 7.45 kick-off.
