PHIL TURNBULL has left Darlington to join hometown team South Shields.

He was under contract for another year, so Quakers will receive a transfer fee for the services of a midfielder who had been with the club since 2015.

The 31-year-old made 126 appearances and hardly missed a match in his three years with the club during which time he sometimes captained the team, and was joint-caretaker alongside Gary Brown for a spell last season.

However, South Shields had a bid accepted yesterday and the two clubs have come to an agreement on the fee.

“Phil, as people know, is from South Shields and with his new job and a baby on the way it was a deal he felt was right for him and his family,” said Quakers boss Tommy Wright.

“Phil has been honest and I believe his reasons are genuine, he’s a great pro and a great lad.

“He had a big impact in our upturn in results, his technical ability and his experience were key attributes in his game and to us as a team.

“He was a player we weren’t looking to lose or had planned to lose but with every ending starts a new beginning.

“We wish him well at is new club.”

After joining from Gateshead, Turnbull was Darlington’s player of the year in 2015-16 when they won the Northern Premier League title.

He said: “I’m gutted to be leaving but think it’s probably for the best as we have a baby on the way in June so it’s closer to home and it’s a chance to play for my hometown club.

“I’ve loved every minute of it, and that league-winning season was the best of my career. An absolute unreal club to play for, the fans are special there.”

Turnbull becomes the latest to leave Darlington since the end of last season and at Mariners Park he will link up with former Quakers Chris Hunter and Brown.

Tom Portas, who has joined West Auckland, and Leon Scott have also has left, as have Liam Marrs and Greg Mills. Kevin Burgess and James Caton are on the transfer list.

Darlington’s only summer arrival so far is Liam Hughes, a former Cambridge United midfielder, but Wright is working on other potential signings and says he is close to securing the signature of a striker.