ELEVATED to hero status by scoring 94 goals in 300 games across seven seasons, Stephen Thompson is feted by Darlington supporters.

They have watched him be an integral part of the team since signing in September 2012 as part of three-promotion-winning campaigns and the fans have voted him as their player of the year three times: 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2017-18.

What most of supporters probably do not know is they unwittingly helped convince him to sign for the club seven years ago.

In the summer of 2012 then manager Martin Gray was assembling a squad to take on the challenge of playing in the Northern League, convincing a collection of non-league talents from across the region to be part of Quakers’ crusade.

Among those he pursued was Thompson, then with Durham City, aged 23 and still harbouring hopes of getting back into the professional ranks having been with Middlesbrough as a youngster.

Gary Brown, David Dowson and twins Amar and Arjun Purewal moved as a job lot in pre-season, but Peterlee-based Thompson did not follow the same path until a few weeks into the campaign.

He explains: “I knew Martin was interested but it didn’t happen in the summer for one reason or another.

“But I was close with Browny and he’d told me that I was still wanted. Martin came to a couple of Durham games, and then I went to a Darlo match at home, against Dunston I think it was.

“I remember walking in with my dad, it was a Friday night game, there were probably about 2,000 fans there and I was thinking ‘this is exactly what I want to be playing in front of’.

“I’d been playing in front of just my mam and dad half the time at Durham. I knew once I was there at the match this is what I want. All footballers want to play at a big club in front of big crowds.”

Thompson's transfer would likely have happened regardless, but the backing that the team received at Heritage Park certainly eased the process and 12 days later he was back, this time for his Darlington debut as a substitute in a 1-1 draw at home to Newton Aycliffe.

He scored his first goal away to Penrith not long after that, doing so in a fashion that’s become his trademark: blasted home from outside the penalty area.

There has been plenty of them since. Asked for his most memorable moments, Thompson says: “The hat-trick at Burscough, the goal at Whitby that got us going when we won the league, the goal against Kidderminster this season, Bamber Bridge away a few years ago, there’s been some decent goals in there!”

Brown describes the hat-trick at Burscough, a 7-0 win in December 2013, as “ridiculous”, and it was enough to earn a rare 10 in The Northern Echo.

Gray added: “He is one of the best signings I made.

“He was one of a group of lads I brought in from Durham and we paid a fee for him that seemed a lot at the time, I think it was £2,000 but I can’t remember, but look at the value the club has had for him.

“It’s not just the promotions, it’s his mentality and dedication. He was one of the winners and grafters that we had.”

Thompson was prolific in his first couple of seasons, scoring 50 times in his first 100 games, a remarkable statistic for someone who usually plays on the wing, though perhaps also an indication he was playing well below his level, but his performances attracted interest.

He said: “I’ve had chances to leave over the seven years, of course I have but where would I go? A few years ago there was maybe a chance I could’ve gone pro, but it didn’t happen.

“So where else would I go in non-league apart from Darlo? It’s the biggest non-league club.

“I love it here, playing in front of so many fans was always a big thing for me as well as playing with the lads that have been here. I’ve enjoyed the seven years and as long as I keep enjoying it and scoring goals then I’ll be here.

“There’s been some good times and there’s been some tough times for myself and the club, I’ve seen everything in my time here.”

He might have seen relegation too had Darlington not picked up six wins since January, Thompson scoring in five of them.

His most recent goal was trademark Thompson, leathered home with precision from 18 yards against Bradford PA on Good Friday, scoring at the Tin Shed end to give Darlington a 1-0 win.

It was his 94th goal for the club in his 299th game, and three days later came his landmark 300th appearance in Easter Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Guiseley.

It was a poor team performance, not the only one in what’s been a sorry season that comes to a close today at home to Leamington, but Thompson has had his moments, scoring ten goals so far.

A long-range lob at home to Kidderminster Harriers added to his collection of eye-catching strikes and is a strong contender to win the club’s annual goal of the season competition.

Thompson, who turned 30 this month, has become the first Darlington player to reach 300 appearances since Craig Liddle in 2004, and the next Quaker legend in his sights is Alan Walsh who scored 100 times for the club in the early 1980s.

Thompson has another year on his contract and does not plan on leaving, not until he has overhauled Walsh, and he said: “To be at a club like this make 300 appearances in seven seasons, I’m over the moon about it.

“I want to be in the record books for another reason as well, as everyone knows, that’s the aim now.

“How long it’ll will take, who knows, but I’m here and I want to make sure I get it done.”