Out-of-contract Keltie uncertain of future

9:08am Tuesday 20th May 2008

DAYS after Darlington's day of destiny ended in misery, half of the squad this week discover their own fate as manager Dave Penney decides which of his players have no further role to play.

Clark Keltie, Neil Wainwright and Julian Joachim are among around 12 out of contract as Penney takes the opportunity to reshape the squad that took Quakers to the play-off semi-finals where they lost on Saturday to Rochdale.

Although there will not be as much upheaval as there was last summer, when 13 new arrivals joined, Penney will again add to his squad as he prepares to make another stab at promotion.

He said: "There's not a lot wrong with the squad, we've just got to make sure we add to what we've got and become stronger for next year.

"At whatever level we were going to be at next season, that was always going to be the case.

"No matter whether you're a club that has gone up, down or stayed in the same division there's always players you want to move on and players you want to bring in. We're no different."

After Saturday's defeat on penalties, he said: "We'll have a good think about things over the weekend, get the players at the beginning of the week in and have a chat with them about what the plan is."

One of those hoping to remain part of Penney's plans is midfielder Keltie who put Darlington ahead at Rochdale but struck a forlorn figure when leaving the Spotland changing rooms.

Having been recalled to the team, he had been one of Quakers' best players until substituted late on and, aware that he may have played his last game for the club if not offered a new deal, Keltie was disconsolate.

He said: "We'd like to have got to Wembley then the gaffer, if we'd got promoted, might have given us the chance of a contract.

But now it's touch and go.

"He'll have his own ideas so we'll just have to see what happens.

"I'm not sure I can put into words how the boys are feeling.

It's a horrible way to lose a game and all the lads are so down, it's unbelievable. I feel lost, it hasn't sunk in that we were beaten.

"Since I've been at the club I've been involved in relegation scraps and fights to get into the play-offs, but nothing like this.

"It was a great atmosphere on Saturday and the Darlington fans were absolutely fantastic.

"At 1-0 we felt if we carry on doing what we're doing then the tie is dead. It was 3-1 and Rochdale needed two goals but these things happen. It's horrible.

"Nobody wants to lose, but especially on penalties. Now the season's finished and there's nothing we can do to put right what's happened."

Keltie gave Darlington a 3-1 aggregate lead with his first half penalty, blasted high into the net.

It was his fifth success from the spot in as many attempts this season and he added: "There was never any doubt I would take the penalty.

"I'm the club's penalty taker and I felt very confident. I have practised them for a good few months and knew I was ready for it. There was no doubt in my mind I was going to score.

"I wish I'd been on for the shoot-out. I want to be involved in every minute of the game.

"The gaffer wanted to change to 4-4-2 to make us a bit more attack- minded and he felt I was the one that had to make way.

"Last Saturday, for the first leg, the manager said he was leaving me out and I was devastated. It would have been the biggest game of my career in front of all those fans.

"It wasn't to be, but when I came off on Saturday I felt I had done as much as I could but in the end it obviously wasn't enough."

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