A MAN from the North-East is the bookmakers' favourite to become the next manager of Swansea City - and he already boasts a league title on his CV.

The Insider can reveal that Graeme Jones, the former Wigan striker who has been working alongside Roberto Martinez at the DW Stadium, took his first steps in management in Darlington!

Born in Gateshead, after calling time on a playing career which was made up of spells in the lower leagues, the 42-year-old had a successful stint as the coach of Darlington College.

In 2006 he led the college to the Northern Alliance Under-19s title by a single point from Harrogate Railway after a final match win over Selby Town, after taking 38 points from a total of 48.

During his time as coach and tutor at Darlington he also doubled up as Under-14s coach at Middlesbrough along with Kevin Taylor, the father of Cardiff full-back Andrew.

It was during his time doing those jobs that the offer to join Martinez - his former team-mate - came up at Swansea City. Ever since then he has been the Spaniard's assistant manager in South Wales and at Wigan.

Jones - a former striker with Bridlington, Doncaster, Wigan, St Johnston, Southend, Boston, Bury, Clyde and Hamilton - was previously approached by the Swans before the appointed Rodgers in the wake of Paolo Sousa's departure in 2010.

IF there were any fears remaining among Sunderland supporters that Niall Quinn would end up at Manchester City this summer then they were dampened down this week.

Since Quinn opted to leave the Stadium of Light after five years as chairman and as an overseas ambassador, the chances of him returning to Premier League champions Manchester City had seemingly increased.

He had been linked with City, another of his former clubs, when former chief executive Garry Cook was forced to resign in September last year after sending insensitive emails regarding Nedum Onuoha's cancer suffering mother, Dr Anthonia Onuoha.

Cook's position had remained vacant ever since and when Quinn left Sunderland to spend some time with his family and to concentrate on other things, the idea of a City return was mentioned once more.

However, this week saw Derby chief executive Tom Glick appointed as the new chief commercial and operating officer at the Etihad Stadium, effectively ruling out a return for Quinn.

A unique item of Middlesbrough history is up for grabs this month, when the 27th Methusela Ltd football auction takes place.

The original PYE 45rpm disc of The Power Game is available and, with a guide price of £30 - £40 someone is going to pick up a real gem.

This is the record Bernard Gent hand picked from Dean Wycherley's record shop on Albert Road for 6s 3d and signed by Gent.

There's a welter of cracking North-East football memorabilia in the sale, including some 1966 World Cup pieces - an official ticket and menu for the England winner's banquet signed by Sir Alf Ramsey among others - and plenty of Boro goods, including rare programmes, autographs, tickets and much more.

The auction takes place at the Marton Country Club on June 14 from 1pm, with viewing on the day from 9.30-12.30.

The full list of items is available at www.methuselaltd.com

WHEN Euro 2012 kicks-off next week there will be more players from the Premier League than any other league in Europe taking part.

Analysis by the sports business group at Deloitte has found 20 per cent, 74 players, are lined up to play in the European Championships who play their football in England.

Thirteen per cent play in the Bundesliga, nine per cent in La Liga and eight per cent in Serie A. There will also be five players from last season's Championship teams.