DARLINGTON’S plans for next season continue to take shape with Gary Brown becoming the latest to commit himself to a new deal.

He has signed a two-year contract, quickly following defensive partner Kevin Burgess who did likewise on Friday.

Brown’s new deal is a boost to manager Martin Gray, who has made the defender one of his first-choice players throughout the past five seasons.

He has made 166 appearances in the that time, a total that would have been higher had he not suffered a serious injury that kept him out of action during most of 2013-14, while he had a short spell at Shildon at the beginning of 2015-16.

He said: “Absolutely buzzing to have signed a new two-year contract at Darlington. Can enjoy my summer now.”

Brown and Burgess take the number of Darlington players to agree new terms recently to six.

First-team regulars Phil Turnbull, Mark Beck and Nathan Cartman have all signed deals recently, as has young striker Harvey Saunders.

The news comes in a week when Darlington appointed a chief executive, David Johnston, with a remit to attract sponsorship and investment in the club.

Meanwhile, left-back David Ferguson today played for the England C team in a 2-1 win over Panjab in a match played at Solihull Moors’ Damson Park.

He set up the second goal for the non-league representative team, scored by Darren McQueen, during a match in which former Quakers striker Amar Purewal, and his twin Arjun, played for Panjab.

England now head to Jersey to play a friendly on Tuesday evening.