Quakers line up next signing (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Quakers line up next signing

8:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Darlington FC By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor

Darlington lined up for their annual team photograph yesterday with a new face among the ranks.

Joe Tait is set to become Martin Gray's latest signing, a former Hartlepool United defender who has most recently been playing in America.

Although he has agreed to join Quakers, the club are awaiting international clearance before he can play in the Northern League.

He was on trial with Darlington during pre-season, playing and scoring in a 4-1 win over Seaham Red Star seven days before the league campaign began last weekend.

Former Quaker Dale Hopson also played as a trialist against Seaham and Gray hoped to sign him too, but he has since attracted interest from clubs in the Championship and League One.

Having begun the campaign with two wins, against Bishop Auckland and Marske United, Darlington aim to make it three in a row when they head to Consett on Saturday.

Team Photo: Back row, left to right, Harry Dunn (chief scout), Sean Gregan (player-coach), Colin Galloway (secretary), Jack Norton, Chris Porter, Dale Connor, Martin Gray (manager), Mark Riley (physio), Scott Selby (kitman) and Brian Atkinson (assistant manager). Middle row, l-r, Danny Mellanby, Stephen Harrison, Dan Smith, Arjun Purewal, Phil Gray, Shaun Reay, Amar Purewal, Adam Clough and Joe Tait. Front row, l-r, Steven Johnson, Gary Brown, Chris Emms, David Dowson, Darren Richardson, Leon Scott, Adam Nicholls, Marc Ellison and Jamie Clarke