Back in the 1985-86 season, Darlington manager Cyril Knowles needed some cover at centre half because of injuries, and he persuaded Middlesbrough to loan us Gary Pallister for a month.

Pallister made his debut for us in the 1-0 Third Division defeat at Bristol City on 19th October 1985, and he went on to play seven games for us, the last of them being a 6-0 home win over Swansea City. He then returned to Middlesbrough, helping them win promotion to the old Second Division before he transferred to Manchester United.

At Old Trafford, he won the Premier League four times, the FA Cup three times and the League Cup once, as well as 22 England caps.

(Thanks to Simon Weatherill for the press reports)