DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK have signed four of their most influential players to new deals that will keep them at The Northern Echo Arena next season.

Chris Auld, Ben Frankland, Dave Fisher and Talite Vaioleti have all put pen to paper on new contracts, with Mowden looking to establish some firm foundations ahead of another season in National One.

“We’re delighted to start our recruitment for the 2017-18 season with Ben, Chris, Dave and Vee,” said Mowden director of rugby Danny Brown.

“It’s important for us this year to get some consistency in the squad as opposed to building a squad for the third season. We look forward to announcing more players over the coming weeks.”

Club captain Auld was the first player to sign on for next year, having been a hugely influential player during the current campaign.

“I’m delighted to sign with the club again as I have thoroughly enjoyed my two seasons at the club,” said Auld. “Despite a rocky patch before Christmas, I feel we’ve progressed massively as a team, and I feel there is still more to come in the remaining six games this season.

“My ambitions for next season are to get as much game time as possible and be part of a Mowden team that will hopefully be pushing for promotion.”