Brown Leaves Quakers - Galbraith & Gillies Sign New Deals

The popular defender had two spells with the club. He was one of former boss Martin Gray’s original signings in the summer of 2012 from Durham City after we had been forcibly demoted to the Northern League, and in his first season led the Quakers to the Northern League title and promotion to the Evo-Stik League.

Two seasons later, he was captain again when Darlington won promotion from the Evo-Stik First Division North via the play-offs.

Brown then had a brief three-month spell with Ebac Northern League side Shildon at the start of season 2015/16, but then admitted that he had missed the club and returned in November 2015.

He was then a regular in the team that won the Evo-Stik League in memorable style that season, which meant that he had won three promotions with the club.

Brown played in the centre of defence and at right-back, and even once played in goal at Lancaster City after Peter Jameson had been sent-off.

His whole-hearted commitment has been without question and made him a firm favourite.

Brown also had a spell as caretaker-manager for three matches alongside Phil Turnbull following the departure of Gray, winning one and drawing one.

In total, he made 186 appearances, scoring 19 goals – his last was in the 1-1 draw against Spennymoor Town in August.

Meanwhile, Terry Galbraith and Josh Gillies have signed a new one-year contracts with the club.

Galbraith, who can play at left-back or at centre-half, signed for Quakers in our first Northern League season in December 2012, and since then has made 237 full and sub appearances for us, scoring 56 goals, including that memorable equaliser at Spennymoor in February 2013.

Wright said: “Terry has been a great servant to the club. He’s a great lad, provides stability and is part of the furniture at the club. Since I came, he’s played at left-back and centre-half, and has been very comfortable in both positions. I’m delighted that he’s signed.”

Gillies (pictured) joined in the summer of 2016 after he was released by Gateshead, and in his first season won the National League North’s player of the month for October 2016.

In his two seasons with the Quakers, he has made a total of seventy-nine appearances, scoring 19 times.

Wright said: “Josh has done very well since I came to the club, and he’s got better and better since I came. He has shown how valuable a member of the team he is”.