WHEN Craig Liddle emerges from the tunnel with son Ben and daughter Katie on either arm this afternoon, the Darlington defender will be cementing his place among the club's elite.

It was 12 years ago that Quakers legend Kevan Smith became the tenth member of the prestigious '300 club'.

And against Swansea today, 32-year-old Liddle will join Ron Greener, Hugh Dickson, Ken Furphy, Brian Henderson, David McLean, Clive Nattress, John Peverell, Alan Sproates and Smudger Smith in the Quakers' hall of fame when he makes his 300th appearance for the club.

To celebrate the occasion, fans will be raising a glass with a pint of Liddle's Best - a specially-produced beer named after their favourite son.

Just four months after Liddle lost his father to cancer, he said: "It's a bit sad that my dad is not here because he would have been over the moon with it all. But I'm sure he'll be there on Saturday watching over."

Liddle was by his father's bedside when he passed away on December 23. Three days later the defender fulfilled a promise to his father when he played in the Boxing Day defeat at home to Huddersfield.

"I played on because I know that's what he wanted me to do," said Liddle. "When he was dying we agreed that it would not affect my football. That was his biggest worry when he was poorly. It was difficult but I got through it and was able to carry on."

And it is with that devotion that Liddle is more than just another name on the team sheet to Quakers fans. He is their leader, even without the captain's armband he relinquished in December.

Quite fittingly, Neil Maddison will hand over the captaincy to Liddle this afternoon.

It was six years ago that Liddle agreed to join David Hodgson's side from neighbours Middlesbrough after a successful loan spell at Feethams at the back end of the 1997/98 season.

"We travelled back from a game at Cardiff and after we'd had a few drinks the gaffer asked me if I'd be interested in making the move permanent," said Liddle. "I said 'yes' and the rest is history."

And what a history.

In 299 appearances in a Quakers shirt, Liddle has experienced the exhilarating highs and excruciating lows. A goal at bitter rivals Hartlepool in the play-off semi-final in 2000 helped Quakers reach Wembley for only the second time in their history. But heartache followed with a cruel 1-0 defeat at the hands of Peterborough in the final.

"I'm a big believer in fate and I think that played a massive part because we were by far the best team in the league that year," said Liddle.

"The pitch went against us and teams seemed to raise their game against us because we were the team everybody wanted to beat.

"I've got the Peterborough game on tape and I still find it hard to watch. The ball just wouldn't go in for us."

And as Quakers' promotion dreams were washed down the drain on a rain-sodden night at Wembley, worse was to follow for the club when Hodgson soon followed a number of key players out of the exit door - including Marco Gabbiadini - after clashing with chairman George Reynolds.

But even in a depleted squad which disappeared into mid-table mediocrity for the next three seasons, Liddle remained loyal, despite receiving several offers to move on.

"There have been two or three occasions when I've been pretty close to leaving - I think closer than a lot of people realise," said Liddle.

"Some supporters will not know that I've spoken to other clubs in the past. But if I'm being totally honest with myself I've never wanted to leave.

"I think it's turned out for the best that I've knocked back offers and stayed."

In an age where money does the talking in football, Liddle takes his riches from a special relationship with the club's fans.

"I think the rapport I've had with the supporters has been a major reason," explained Liddle.

"I've always given everything I've got and I think the fans appreciate that. I've been at the club for six years now and the fans have been fantastic with me."

So what chance of Liddle matching the 490 appearances chalked up by Greener over a half a decade ago? "I'll be trying my very hardest to make it to 400," said Liddle. "I only hope my age doesn't get the better of me!"

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