In the last update, Darlo were just 8 games away from the Premier League. It has become a three horse race between Palace, Forest & ourselves but we hold all the aces, it’s in our hands. Can we see it through? Who will win all the other silverware on offer? Let’s find out

So, could I get Darlo to the Premier League? Goals are still a problem so I am really relying on the defence to keep it tight. It wasn’t vintage, but this is how we finished the season:

Some gutsy 1-0 wins mean that the 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham is enough to secure our place in the top flight. Jubiliant scenes at Feethams as a club with a capacity of less than 8000 will play Premier League football.

I’m not bothered about winning the division, we didn’t win Division 3 or 2 and that didn’t matter either. The challenge to stay in the Premier League will be on another level though. Nevland is the hero, with 24 goals in 50 games, though a lot of credit must go to Heidenstrom

League Cup

The first silverware of the season is won by Man Utd, Patrice Loko at the double.

FA Cup

The FA Cup Semis require replays

The TV companies won’t be best pleased…

Everton stun Man Utd, whilst Leeds battle past Chelsea. It’s an unusual final for CM

Blog favourite Emile Heskey scores as Leeds win 2-0. Unfortunately for them it means Cup Winners Cup for them next season.

Champions League

The Semi Finals looked particularly tasty and as speculated, Ajax cannot repeat their previous feats of reaching the final

PSG are also just beaten, by Barca, meaning it’s an El Clasico final

Former player of the year Sanchez Fernando scores both as Barca win for the third consecutive year. They also win La Liga & Copa Del Rey, so not a bad season. Fiorentina win Serie A, which is proving to be a very open league. Juventus win the UEFA Cup though just to ensure Spain don’t dominate everything.

Premier League

The race was almost won in the last update, and Man Utd prove to be too difficult to catch

Leeds follow up their cup win by securing a Champions League spot, so it’s actually Everton who get the CWC problem. Wolves are the unlikely team in 3rd, whilst defending champions Liverpool finish well short.

Sunderland are relegated to join Newcastle in Division 1. Darlington and Middlesbrough will represent the North East in the Premier League – what were the chances? Barnsley and Leicester also make the drop, despite Southampton’s awful goals against column.

So that’s it, Darlington are in the Premier League. Believe me, it hasn’t always been plain sailing but staying in the league is probably the hardest thing on the game. I’ll need to hit the ground running with some signings but Betterton is out of contract, so I need a new goalkeeper too. Join us next time to see how we get on in the big leagues