Former Sunderland and Darlington midfielder Brian Atkinson has quit Second Division champions Newton Aycliffe.
Along with manager Allan Oliver, Atkinson has been one of the driving forces behind the club’s rapid rise on the field in the last four years, but he has been missing in recent matches and has informed the club that he has decided to quit because of personal commitments. The club has yet to announce a replacement.
Ironically, on Wednesday night when Aycliffe recorded their fifth successive win against Jarrow Roofing, they learned that midfielder Tom Portas, signed earlier in the season from Guisborough, has decided to join Evostik League club Whitby Town.
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