Veteran heads home for third spell

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Darlington have announced that defender Alan White is returning to his hometown club for the third time, writes Ray Simpson.

White, 37, has had two previous spells at the First Division North newcomers, making 75 appearances after signing for Dave Penney back in 2007 and a further 24 in 2010 when Steve Staunton was in charge. White was also part of the Quakers' team that just missed out on a trip to Wembley in the 2008 League Two play-offs.

Manager Martin Gray has been looking for defensive cover in the past fortnight and said: "I've needed to strengthen the defence especially as Gary Brown is going to be out still for a few weeks. Alan has got loads of experience from several levels of the game.

"We've been crying out for an old hand like him to keep things steady at the back and talk to the other players. He's also a Darlo lad and jumped at the chance to come back and play for us."

White's clubs include Middlesbrough, Luton, Colchester, Leyton Orient, Boston, Notts County, Peterborough, and more recently Harrogate Town. He played for the Quakers in a friendly with Consett at Durham on Friday night and is in contention to make his competitive return in Darlington's First Division North clash at Clitheroe on Saturday, September 7.