FORMER Darlington defender David McGurk turned down the chance to return to the club as manager, it has been claimed.

He is now coach at Hyde United, where the manager, Darren Kelly, last night claimed McGurk was Quakers’ first-choice to replace Martin Gray.

“David McGurk was first-choice for the Darlington manager’s job, which he turned down,” said Kelly.

“He was first choice and he turned it down.

“He decided to turn it down to stay with us because of what we’re about and we’re trying to do down the line.

“That just shows how far we’ve come as a club and what we’re doing.”

McGurk’s stance, if correct, takes the number of refusals Quakers have been given this week to three following Tommy Wright and Alun Armstrong.

Middlesbrough-born McGurk, 35, joined Hyde in 2016 after spending two years with Harrogate Town.

He started his career with Darlington, making his debut in November 2001 during an FA Cup tie at Kidderminster Harriers.

While he made close to 60 appearances in the following seasons, McGurk joined York City on loan in 2004 before making the move permanent in 2006 and he stayed at Bootham Crescent until 2014.