Dario Hopes Vatican Do it

Dario wants young striker Tom Pope to make the step up next season to replace outbound Luke Varney. Pope arrived two years ago from Biddulph Victoria with some promise and Dario believes it's now time for the 22 year old to make the step up.

With Luke Varney moving to Charlton Athletic, and a bid for a loan striker falling through, the club are left needing a new goal scorer and Dario believes Pope is ideal. Early on in the year Dario called Pope 'Varney's successor' in a similar fashion to when fans scoffed at the idea of Varney being Ashton's successor.

Pope made his first team debut towards the end of last season, with his first full game in a defeat at Gillingham. Dario now wants to see if Pope can push on and make a credible stake for a first team spot before persuing other avenues.

Dario told CreweAlex.net: 'I think we will start the season with what we have got. We will see how Tom Pope goes on, if he figures in the side, if he doesn't early on then we will think about starting to look around.'

Dario does have Nicky Maynard & Ryan Lowe already at his disposal, with up & coming Shaun Miller also looking to make an impact.

*Apologies for the rather tabloidesqe headline.