Darlington defender relishing South Shields FC and Hebburn Town FC tests as North East contingent grows

Darlington captain Scott Barrow is excited by the prospect of facing South Shields FC and Hebburn Town FC in the National League North during the new season - and revealed meeting the Hornets will provide him with a unique experience.

The former Gateshead defender has become an integral figure with the Quakers as he works under former Newcastle United defender Steve Watson at Blackwell Meadows. Barrow has brought vast experience after spending the majority of his career within the top tiers of the non-league game and has become accustomed to life in the North East after initially joining Gateshead from Merthyr Town during the summer of 2017.

The Welshman will continue to lead Darlo into the new season after agreeing a new deal this summer - and he will come face-to-face with a number of familiar faces on and off the pitch when his side visit Hebburn and South Shields during the new campaign. Barrow revealed he is already expecting a lively reception from one segment of the Hornets support as they embark on their first ever season in the National League North.

He told The Gazette: “It’s called the National League North - but maybe it should be something else because the clubs are so scattered around the country. It is good to have the North East teams in the division. I wanted South Shields to go up because I have a good affiliation with staff and players but it is nice to have that game again and to be facing Spennymoor again too.

“But to have Hebburn in the division as well is fantastic. It’s also fantastic for me personally because I live a mile away from their ground, I coach in a school close to the ground and I coach a lot of the players that play in their juniors. The kids I coach in the school and the teachers, they are all Hebburn fans so they’ve been saying they can’t wait for Darlo to play Hebburn so they can give me abuse. I am looking forward to it because it will be nice for them to see Mr Barrow in action - but more importantly, seeing a strong North East presence in the National League North is so important for football in the region.”

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