From the cup glory days of the 1950s and 60s to the promotion-winning teams of the 80s and 90s and on to the rebirth of the present day, Darlington have boasted some memorable players.
But who deserves a place in the club’s greatest line-up – and who should be leading them from a position on the touchline?
We have selected a shortlist of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards – and want you to pick a team in a 4-3-3 formation. Then, choose a manager to go along with them.
Voting closes on Friday, April 7, and the winning team will be unveiled in a souvenir supplement in The Northern Echo on Tuesday, April 11.
Voting has now closed. Thank you to all who took part. Don't miss The Northern Echo on Tuesday, April 11, for a special pull-out edition with your greatest ever Darlington XI.
Goalkeepers
1999-2004
Appearances: 145
Part of the team which played at Wembley in the 1999-00 play-off final and remembered for almost singlehandedly keeping out Hartlepool during a 1-1 draw at Feethams in February 2002 which earned a rare 10/10 in The Northern Echo.
Fred Barber
1983-86
Appearances: 163
A Ferryhill lad, Barber made over 150 appearances and integral to the team which won promotion under Cyril Knowles in 1985. Joined Everton and went onto enjoy a lengthy career.
1989-93
Appearances: 209
First-choice goalkeeper both the title-winning seasons of 1990 and ’91 under Brian Little, was No. 1 for seasons and made 209 appearances before moving to Stoke City.
2004-07; 10-12
Appearances: 190
In the team that overcame Mansfield Town in the FA Trophy final in what was his fifth season at the club split into two spells. A Middlesbrough lad who retains an affinity to the club.
Tony Moor
1965-72
Appearances: 268
Arrived for £100from York and became Quakers’ keeper for six successive seasons, a period when the team enjoyed some cup runs, won promotion from Division Four, and missed out on going up again in 68-69, when Moor kept seven clean sheets in consecutive matches.
Defenders
1952-64
Appearances: 463
Goals: 3
Held the club appearance record until Greener overtook him. Captain and had the reputation as a hard man. A member of the team that caused an upset in the ’58 FA Cup by beating Chelsea.
1972-80; ’85
Appearances: 346
Goals: 15
A firm fixture throughout the 1970s, not missing a match between August ’75 and December ’77. In the team which lost narrowly to Everton at Goodison Park in October 1978.
1998-2005
Appearances: 322
Goals: 20
Arrived on loan in 1998 from Middlesbrough and never left. Loyally stayed with the club when he had chances to go elsewhere. Retired due to injury in 2005 and given a testimonial.
Frank Gray
1989-92
Appearances: 103
Goals: 9
The former Leeds left-back dropped down to the GM Vauxhall Conference to become Brian Little’s No. 2 and a cornerstone of the defence for two title-winning seasons.
2012-?
Appearances: 159
Goals: 14
One of the stalwarts of the current squad having played a major part in all three promotions since 2012-13. After a brief spell with Shildon in 2015, his return was heralded as significant in shoring up the defence last season.
2007; 2008-11
Appearances: 167
Goals: 8
Stayed with the club when others departed during the administration of 2008-09, and got his reward by being captain of the team which won the FA Trophy at Wembley in May 2011.
Jimmy Willis
1988-91
Appearances: 151
Goals: 8
A reliable defender with pace, attributes that saw him play in the Premier League with Leicester. Kevan Smith named him as the best centre-back he played alongside in his career, and said last year: “He was quick on the floor and could attack the ball.”
Joe Jacques
1965-69
Appearances: 173
Goals: 6
From Consett, Jacques had returned to the North-East from Lincoln City, and to many was an unsung hero of the ’66 promotion team.
1961-72
Appearances: 488
Goals: 14
A no-nonsense right-back who made over 450 appearances during over a decade’s service in the 1960s, Peverell turned down a move to Spurs to stay with his hometown team. Made 465 appearances, the third highest in the club’s history.
1979-85; ’89-93
Appearances: 440
Goals: 22
The first Darlington player to be part of three promotion teams: 1985, ’90 and ’91. Was skipper for the title wins under Little when he made hardly missed a game and made a huge contribution.
1993-06; 05-06
Appearances: 145
Goals: 12
Had shown promise at Newcastle, then revived his career at Feethams as a ball-playing sweeper. Man of the match at Wembley in 1996, then went on to play in the Premier League for Barnsley.
1999-02
Appearances: 134
Goals: 2
A reliable defender. Left-back was his position, but he often found himself playing in the centre alongside Craig Liddle during his last season before moving to Norwich City.
Phil Lloyd
1983-86
Appearances: 150
Goals: 5
A stylish and committed defender, Lloyd’s high point in Quakers colours was scoring in the FA Cup win in 1985 against Middlesbrough – the club which had released him.
1955-67
Appearances: 490
Goals: 6
Twelve years at the club, without doubt one of Darlington’s greatest players. Nobody has made more Darlington appearances than Greener, nicknamed ‘Man Mountain’, played in the ’66 promotion team and in the side that beat Chelsea in 1958.
1991-96
Appearances: 162
Goals: 5
Came through the ranks, making his debut in the centre of defence as a 17-year-old, and was in the first Darlington team to play at Wembley in 1996. Went on to play in the Premier League with West Brom and is regarded as a club legend at Preston.
Midfielders
Alan Sproates
1965-73
Appearances: 346
Goals: 19
Part of the 1966 promotion team and also integral three years later when Darlington just missed out on going up. Sproates possessed a classy left foot and was one of the club’s longest-serving players.
Alan Roberts
1985-88
Appearances: 135
Goals: 19
One of a clutch of former Middlesbrough players in the squad when he joined in 1985, scoring against his former club in his second season. “I used to love playing at Feethams, it had its own special charm,” he said recently.
1989-93
Appearances: 183
Goals: 22
A £40,000 signing from Hartlepool United, Toman was a consistent performer and missed just five matches in those championship seasons in the early 1990s. Was from his free-kick that Gary Coatsworth scored the winner at Welling.
Barry Lyons
1976-79
Appearances: 114
Goals: 12
Lyons arrived from York, though had played 200 games for Nottingham Forest as a winger. Became a cultured midfielder at Feethams where his talents shined.
1979-86
Appearances: 332
Goals: 52
Always a first-choice under Billy Elliott and then Cyril Knowles, scored a memorable goal against Hereford United towards the end of 1984-85, the same season Quakers were promoted from Division Four, when McLean chipped in with ten goals and missed only two games.
1972-75
Appearances: 120
Goals: 13
Was player of the year in his first season at Darlington at the beginning of the 1970s, a lean time for the team as they hovered around the bottom of Division Four, but Burluraux was a crowd favourite. Was always regular until late in the 74-75 when an ankle injury forced his retirement from the pro gamed aged just 24.
1964-66
Appearances: 135
Goals: 10
A supremely skilful winger who would beat players for fun and consistently delivered dangerous crosses. Many believe he would have played much higher had he not held down a job with ICI.
1959-65
Appearances: 186
Goals: 35
With Darlington for seven seasons, in the third of which he scored against Bolton Wanders in front of 21,023 at Feethams, the highest attendance Darlington have ever had.
1953-62
Appearances: 349
Goals: 8
A key player in one of the club’s most successful periods. Played at right-half most of the time, though he was left-half when he marked Chelsea’s Jimmy Greaves in a 3-3 FA Cup draw, Quakers winning the replay four days later.
Les O’Neill
1964-70
Appearances: 201
Goals: 43
BOASTING an impressive goal ratio of one in almost every four games, O’Neill possessed no small amount of skill and was a team player. Would later play in the Carlisle team which briefly topped Division One.
2000; 01-08; 11-12;
Appearances: 284
Goals: 30
Wrote his name into the history books by scoring the last ever goal at Feethams, but made a much greater contribution in almost 300 appearances spread across three spells. A pacey winger with a tremendous work ethic.
2015-?
Appearances: 76
Goals: 1
Last season was arguably supporters’ most enjoyable in recent memory, a title won against the odds with over 100 points, with Turnbull the star man. His calm and composed presence in midfield and use of the ball saw Turnbull named Player of the Year.
Ray Yeoman
1964-67
Appearances: 120
Goals: 2
A tough-tackling midfielder who had made his name at Middlesbrough, making 210 consecutive appearances, before forming a formidable partnership at Feethams with Alan Sproates. Became manager and almost led Quakers to promotion in ’68-89.
1992-96; 97-99
Appearances: 252 goals 19
Gaughan arrived from Sunderland as a youngster and became regular in the engine room during the 1990s, an integral member of the ’95-96 which got to the play-off final. “Of all my clubs, Darlington is the one I look back on with most affection,” he said.
Steve Mardenborough
1990-1993
Appearances: 126
Goals: 21
Brought in midway through the 89-90 season to strengthen the attacking options, making a contribution to the Conference title win and going on to be a regular for the next three seasons.
FORWARDS
1979 - 84
Appearances: 279
Goals: 100
Possessed a lethal left-foot shot which he used to score many of his 100 goals, making him Quakers’ all-time top scorer. Four goals came during a notable 5-2 win over his hometown club Hartlepool United at Feethams in April ’82.
1956-57
Appearances: 46
Goals: 36
Tulip holds the post-war scoring record for Darlington, with 32 goals in 38 league games in season 1956-57. Scored three hat-tricks, including one against Hartlepools United in a 3-1 win in front of 14,000 at Feethams.
1965-68
Appearances: 84
Goals: 46
A Lol Morgan signing, arriving in a £3,000 transfer from Newcastle, Cummings was leading scorer in the 65-66 promotion season. He started in terrific style, finding the net nine times in his first seven games.
1964-67
Appearances: 91
Goals: 35
Bagged 35 goals in Quakers colours, one of the last being in a League Cup tie against Millwall that so impressed the Londoners that they soon signed him.
Carl Airey
1984-86
Appearances: 84
Goals: 34
The bustling centre-forward was top scorer with 16 when Darlington won promotion in 1985, his brace in a 2-2 draw at Crewe earning the point required to go up.
1971-77
Appearances: 223
Goals: 65
The 1970s were a traumatic time for the club, yet Sinclair banged in the goals after moving from Raith Rovers. A natural goalscorer, he reached double figures most season, and bagged four in one match at Torquay in 1975.
1986-88
Appearances: 90
Goals: 36
Could change the course of a game in an instant. Had not cut it at Middlesbrough so moved to Darlington, and his second season hit 21 goals in 31 games, earning a move to Barnsley. Some regard him as the most talented player they’ve seen in a Quakers shirt.
1980-82
Appearances: 95
Goals: 22
Arrived as a midfielder from Barnsley, was transformed into a fiery forward by Billy Elliott and became a rising star. Headed to Chelsea and became a Scotland international.
Eddie Rowles
1975-77
Appearances: 122
Goals: 25
The bearded forward left a lasting impression after two and half seasons in Quakers colours during which time he played alongside Colin Sinclair. Was leading scorer when sold to Colchester in December ’77, and remained top scorer by the season’s end.
1995-96
Appearances: 51
Goals: 11
Spent only a season with the club, the fondly-remembered 1995-96 when Quakers reached Wembley, but that was enough time to leave his mark. A leader on and off the pitch, his guile was crucial to Quakers.
1960-64; 68-70
Appearances: 236
Goals: 73
Part-time footballer, full-time dentist. Robson hit 73 goals, though he is also remembered as a great character. Scored in a 1960 League Cup win over West Ham, who included a young Bobby Moore.
1998-00
Appearances: 95
Goals: 52
Capable of conjuring a goal from nowhere, the former Sunderland hero had endured a couple of barren years before being brought in by David Hodgson in 1998 and promptly rejuvenated his career.
Peter Graham
1970-73
Appearances: 131
Goals: 45
A consistent performer and regular scorer during three seasons in which Darlington finished 12th, 19th and bottom of Division Four. Graham was a firm favourite, twice scoring hat-tricks, but was sold to Lincoln for around £12,000 when, it is believed, Quakers had a bill to pay.
1995-97
Appearances: 82
Goals: 23
A talented Teessider who went on to enjoy a long career at a higher level, which was no surprise to those who witnessed the skilful striker make his mark after coming through the youth ranks at Feethams. Once described a winner at Doncaster as his best Darlington goal.
2012-?
Appearances: 210
Goals: 72
Nobody has played more games or scored more goals during Darlington’s rapid rise from the ashes since 2012. His trademark goal is the thunderous effort from outside the penalty area.
Managers
1964-65
Arrived as player-manager and regarded as a good man-manager eager to play attractive football. Led Darlington to their first promotion in 40 years before leaving to become Norwich City boss.
1983-87
Transformed Darlington, leading the club to promotion in 1984-85 in his second season in charge having previously been a coach a Middlesbrough following the end of a lengthy playing career with Tottenham.
1989-91
Remembered as the man who led the club to back-to-back promotions, bringing Quakers out of the Conference at the first attempt and then into the then-named Division Three. His achievements saw him-headhunted by Leicester City.
1995; 1996-2000; 2003-06
Three Times a Quaker was the name of his book after three spells as manager. Truly passionate about the club, implemented a passing a style and had penchant for bringing in foreign players.
2012-?
The only Darlington manager to have led the club to three promotions. Appointed when Quakers started again in 2012, his ambition and drive guiding the club through the divisions to the National League North.