Midfielder Phil Turnbull has no regrets about quitting professional football (writes Kevin Luff). The schemer called time on an eight year spell at Gateshead in the summer after being offered the chance to take up a teaching job.

The 28 year old was offered a new deal with the Heed by incoming manager Malcolm Crosby and initially agreed to extend his stay there. However when he was offered a full time PE teaching role Phil elected to start a new chapter of his life.

At the time it was a agonising decision to make but one he doesn’t regret. With long term deals in the lower reaches of the professional game becoming increasingly rare Phil took the longer term view and accepted his role at Sunderland’s Academy 360.

“The job is going well. It was something I always wanted to get into. When the PE teaching job came about I thought it would be a good combination. I don’t regret moving one bit. The job itself is going well and I’m enjoying it,” he said.

“When you drop to the lower levels you have to be realistic. I’m 28 years old now and a teaching job is a career. I’m still playing at a very good level and at a massive club so that’s not something I have to worry about. It just means in four or five years time I’ll be in a career.”

He continued: “In the lower levels of the professional game you still have to work afterwards and I didn’t know if an opportunity like the one I had would arrive again so I think I’ve made the right decision.”

Phil clocked up over 300 appearances during his time at the International Stadium. He was part of the Gateshead side which came close to returning to the Football League last year via the Conference Play-offs.

Gateshead’s loss is most certainly Darlington’s gain.  He had plenty of options when he decided to quit full time football but picked Quakers. Those who watch carefully enough will see what he brings to the team, a willingness to always take on possession and try to drive his team forward with an inventive pass.

Turnbull feels he can still offer more but as well as settling into his new job he’s settled into life at the club as too.

“It’s a great club to be part of. I kind of knew about the fanbase before I came but when you witness it every Saturday it’s brilliant. I remember thinking at Buxton on the first game of the season it’s very special this,” he said.

“The only difference between here and Gateshead is simply going in every day. You don’t bring your boots here, that’s all taken care of and you put on a suit for home games. The whole setup is incredibly professional. The only difference is the fact that you aren’t in every day.”