Two Released Blues Find New Homes

Last updated : 03 July 2009 By Thetashkentterror
Former Blue Chris Lumsdon
Lumsdon and Smith, both 29-year old midfielders, joined up with the Quakers yesterday on their first day of pre-season training, the pair having been let go by United boss Greg Abbott at the end of the 2008-09 campaign. The duo had already committed to link up with Darlington in mid-June but with the current financial situation at the Northern Echo Darlington Arena neither player will be able to sign any form of contract until the club comes out of administration.

Newcastle-born Lumsdon has reportedly turned down offers from other Football League outfits to join Darlington, and he has also spoken to former Blues team-mate Michael Bridges in order to try to persuade the 30-year old to join him at the Arena, Bridges, after spending last season on loan at Brunton Park, then having been released by Hull.

Lumsdon now more than happy to be with Darlington after the disappointment of leaving the Cumbrians, as he commented to the Journal and Northern Echo :

"I went into the dressing room and I knew a few of the lads already, so I know they are good players and that boosted me. It's a relief to be here now, looking ahead, because we can start to plan for the season. When I met Colin Todd, everything he said would happen has happened, so it is good to be here now, finally.

"I don't think I have a point to prove, but last year was frustrating because it was the first real set of injuries I have had in my career. It will be nice to get playing again. It was nice to go to Carlisle, travelling across the top, but it's nice to be back in the North- East.

"I'm a home boy and it's nice to be back in the North East. I am a Newcastle fan so I used to get a bit of grief when I played for Sunderland, especially when we beat them at Newcastle 2-1 at St James's Park. I have a season ticket there so it will be good to play them in pre-season. I have 50 people wanting tickets for the Newcastle friendly but I'm not paying for them!"


After two and a half seasons with Carlisle, Middlesbrough-born Jeff Smith will also be pleased to be back in the North-East. Smith, along with Lumsdon, two of nine new signings unveiled by Quakers boss Colin Todd at the Arena yesterday, the other seven being David Knight, Matty Plummer, Craig James, James Bennett, Gary Smith, Lee Thorpe and Ben Starosta.