Darlo set to bank second windfall

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Darlington are set to land another cash windfall thanks to the transfer of one of their former players.

The Northern Echo reported on Thursday that former striker Michael Smith, pictured, is set to switch from Charlton Athletic to Swindon Town, managed by former Quakers boss Mark Cooper. Smith left Darlington for Athletic in an £80,000 move in 2011 after coming through the youth ranks and the reformed club is set to hit the jackpot as a sell-on clause was included in the deal.

The news comes a few weeks after the Quakers pocketed £75,000 from Fulham when a similar clause was triggered in former player Dan Burn’s contract after he made his debut for the Premier League Cottagers.

Darlington’s delighted officials and fans can thank the club’s former administrator for both bonuses. As with Burns, the deal agreed when Darlington FC was bought by the fans in 2012 means the club will get half of Smith's sell-on money with the rest going to the creditors of the old company, Darlington FC 2009.

Smith, 22, spent the first half of the season on loan at AFC Wimbledon, scoring ten goals in 25 appearances for the League Two outfit.

Under Cooper at Darlington's former home at the Northern Echo Arena, the forward made 29 appearances during the 2009-10 campaign but was cup-tied for the FA Trophy success at Wembley.