Darlington manager Martin Gray has tonight won the NPL's manager of the year award at their annual dinner in Blackpool.

The award is much deserved for MG, who has guided the club to three promotions in four seasons, and in doing so has become the most successful manager in the club's history.

In his first season, he started with nothing and led the club to the Northern League title, and after losing in the 2013-14 EvoStik play offs to Ramsbottom, he guided Quakers to promotion from the First Division North via the play offs in 2014-15.

In the season just ended, he helped Quakers overhaul Blyth's big lead, and clinched the title and

promotion with an unforgettable 7-1 away win at Whitby.