The former Newcastle United and Aston Villa star was named as successor to former Quakers boss Josh Gowling last month and has been given the sizeable task of keeping the northeast club in Step 2.
A dismal run of form under his predecessor means the 49-year-old inherited a squad languishing deep in relegation trouble and facing the very realistic prospect of dropping into the Northern Premier League for the first time since 2016.
Watson remains defiant in the face of what feels a perilous situation at Blackwell Meadows and has called for unity as he looks to pull off an unlikely escape act.
He told The NLP: “There aren’t many clubs I would have taken it on for. Being a north-east lad, I am old enough to have played at Feethams, I’m a football traditionalist and Darlington is a big, big northeast club.
“Once I get to a place, I only know one way to work and that’s by getting my sleeves rolled up and working hard.
Denne historien er fra January 21, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 21, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
