Gary Brown says that he has unfinished business at Darlington.

Gary, who has led the club on the field to two successive promotions, decided to return to Quakers last week after a three month spell at Shildon and revealed that he had greatly missed the club during his spell away.

“The timing of my departure from Darlo during the summer was a poor one by me,” he said.

“I had a lot going on in my personal life. We’d just had an addition to the family, I was working in my usual job as well as building an extension to our house, and I’d just been part of a hectic pre-season schedule. I thought that my football at Darlington should give way in order to give me more time.

“But I should have been more resilient, and stuck at it. I just jumped in two footed.

“Even after I left, I still used the word “we” when I talked about Darlington, despite the fact that I was playing for Shildon. Darlington FC is a big part of my family.

“I’m 28 years old now, and I believe that I’ve still got four good playing years left. I didn’t want to be regretting my move away in 2020, I realised that I had to come back and complete some unfinished business.”

[caption id="attachment_14513" align="alignnone" width="300"] Gary in action at Radcliffe last season[/caption]

Gary revealed that Shildon helped him move back to Quakers and didn’t stand in his way. “I’ve got to say a massive thank you to Gary Forrest and Shildon for helping the move back to the club. I know though that I’m starting with a clean slate – I’m under no illusions that I’m starting from scratch again. I’m starting from the bottom and I’ve got to prove to the manager that I’m worthy of a regular place.

“That means getting used to the club again, and building up my fitness levels.

“I’ve also got to say a massive thank you to Martin Gray for giving me the opportunity to return to the club – it’s up to me to go and prove him right.”

It’s up to the manager as to which position he’ll be playing, but many fans appreciated his total commitment last season, when Peter Jameson was red carded at Lancaster City, went in goal and pulled off a superb save from the free kick following Pete’s foul. He then went upfield when Darlo had a corner, and almost equalised.

[caption id="attachment_14512" align="alignnone" width="300"] Gary Brown in goal at Lancaster[/caption]

Welcome back Gary!