Darlington 1883 snap up ex-Carlisle and Gateshead winger Josh Gillies

DARLINGTON 1883 boss Martin Gray is confident new signing Josh Gillies won’t be in the National League North for long – but hopes his progress back up the Pyramid will be with the Quakers.

The 26-year-old winger has signed a deal with Gray’s side after leaving National League outfit Gateshead at the end of last season.

Gillies started his career in the Northern League with Sunderland Nissan before brief spells at Newcastle Blue Star and Blyth Spartans.

A move to Whitley Bay followed and the forward helped the Seahorses win the FA Vase, scoring in the 6-1 demolition of Wroxham at Wembley in 2010.

He joined Gateshead for his first spell at the International Stadium shortly after and quickly became seen as one of the top youngsters in Non-League, earning a call-up to the England C squad.

After three seasons with the Tynesiders, he moved into the Football League with Carlisle United and enjoyed loan spells with Cambridge United – who he won the FA Trophy with – and FC Halifax before rejoining Gateshead last summer.

Gillies was only able to play 23 times for the Heed last season, scoring four times, due to a shoulder injury but Darlo boss Gray is delighted to have got his signature.

“Josh has got plenty of experience for both Gateshead and Carlisle United in the past,” he told Darlington’s website.

“He is a major signing at this stage of the season, and has come highly recommended by several people. I rate him in the same calibre as Phil Turnbull, and I think he’s a player that will go back to playing at a higher level, hopefully with us.”