GARY BROWN has returned to Darlington from Shildon.

As revealed in today’s Northern Echo, the defender is making the move from Dean Street back to Heritage Park.

He was a fans’ favourite during three seasons with the club as captain, and led the team to two promotions.

His final game was the play-off final win over Bamber Bridge at the end of last season, but in the summer he told manager Martin Gray that he would have to join a Northern League club due to the travelling involved in the Evo-Stik Premier Division. His partner had recently given birth to their second child.

But Brown has since had a change of heart, and said: “I’ve missed Darlington. The timing of my decision wasn’t right in the summer, I was too hasty to ask to leave because of everything that was going on at the time.

“It’s great to be back, but I know that I’m starting from scratch again.”

Gray said: “Gary’s circumstances have changed, and he decided to return because he has unfinished business. I’m absolutely delighted to have him back, because he’s another leader that we’ll have on the pitch.”

Summer signing Kevin Burgess took the captain's armband, and Brown could now reclaim it.

The Northern Echo: