Turnbull, 28, signed for Quakers on Monday afternoon after deciding to quit full time football and accept a job as a PE teacher. He still wanted to play football part time, and he chose Darlington ahead of several other north east clubs.

It’s quite a coup for Quakers to sign a player who has played in the Conference for the past few years, and was within a whisker of playing in the Football League for Gateshead, only for them to lose in the Conference play off final. Only last season, he was part of the Gateshead team that reached the third round of the FA Cup. Add two promotions from the EvoStik Premier Division and Conference North, then Turnbull has achieved plenty of success and has a great pedigree.

“I had numerous options when I decided that I didn’t want to continue playing full time, but coming to Darlington was my first choice,” he said.

“I played against Darlington in the Conference and in the Trophy semi final, and the fans always turned out in numbers. There was always a great atmosphere, even though the games were in a huge stadium. You always knew that you were involved in a local derby.

“Darlington have a success train, and I want to jump on board. The club is going places, and heading back up the leagues. I want to be a part of that.”

Phil played 362 games for Gateshead in two spells, his first on loan from Hartlepool, and his second after he moved from York City in 2008.

[caption id="attachment_12322" align="alignnone" width="210"] Phil Turnbull (pic courtesy of Gateshead FC)[/caption]

“Gateshead was a fantastic club, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It was full time and very professional. When I decided to leave, I wanted to go to the next most professional club after that, and that club was Darlington.

“I had a great affiliation with Gateshead, and I had a lot of time for the chairman. Originally, I spoke to a couple of clubs when I came to the end of my contract, but I wanted to stay there, so I signed a new deal.

“But then, an offer came for me to become a PE teacher, and I knew at that point I would have to go part time.

“I’d come across Martin Gray in the past when he was at Darlington ten years ago as youth team manager while I was at Hartlepool. I know that he’s a winner, he’s very professional, he tells players as it is, and I like that.”

Phil was part of the Gateshead team that lost to Quakers in that famous Trophy semi final in 2011.

“We should have put the game to bed in the first leg. We led 2-0, and missed a good chance to make it 3-0. We played very well in the first half.

“But them the game changed completely. We panicked and choked, Darlington got back into it and won 3-2. When they drew the second leg at Gateshead in the second leg to make sure of a place at Wembley, I wanted them to win the final because I wanted a team from the north east to win the competition. I didn’t bear Darlington any grudges.”

Phil has appeared in the Evo-Stik Premier before. “I played in the EvoStik League for Gateshead when we won promotion, and then again in the Conference North.

“I know Graeme Armstrong, because he was with me at Gateshead for those back-to-back promotions. I played with Gary Brown a few years ago, I know Terry Galbraith through friends, and I know Chris Hunter because he comes from South Shields, the same as me. I’m going into a dressing room in which I know a few of the lads already.

“I don’t think there’s much difference in the teams between the top of the EvoStik Premier and the Conference. In fact, looking at Darlington now, I think some teams in the Conference aren’t as good as Darlington.”

Phil is looking forward to interacting with the fans. “Darlington have a massive following for a non league club, and I’m looking forward to getting involved with them. I’ve suddenly gained a lot more followers on Twitter.”