Darlington have today signed Simon Ainge from Harrogate Town for an undisclosed fee.

Simon, 30, was originally a defender, and was converted into a striker when he was at Harrogate.

He started his career at Bradford City, playing for them in League One and League Two, before moving briefly to Bradford Park Avenue at the start of season 2009-10.

He then moved to Guiseley, and helped them win promotion from the Northern Premier League to Conference North (as was) and stayed with them until season 2012-13, making 134 appearances.

He moved to Luton Town in season 2012-13 , making 27 appearances, and then on to FC Halifax Town (64 appearances), before going back to Bradford PA halfway through the 2014-15 season.

He moved to Harrogate Town at the start of the 2016-17 season, and it was in January 2017 when he was converted to a striker, scoring 23 goals in the remainder of that season  – he scored four in his first game as a striker against Alfreton --  and earning several awards. He scored 13 goals in 15 games in the 2017-18 season, but then he was injured, lost his place to the incoming Mark Beck and in turn was loaned out to Wrexham for the rest of the season.

Darlington manager Tommy Wright said; “Simon has plenty of experience at this level and above, and he will form a very good partnership with Reece Styche in our forward line,  this is a great signing for Darlington Football Club and demonstrates the ambition that the chairman, directors and supporters’ group currently have and I'm thankful for the fans boost the budget scheme which helped secure the deal.”