Quakers fear for youth development (From The Northern Echo)

Quakers fear for youth development

10:02am Thursday 25th June 2009 in

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DARLINGTON’S chances of producing more young talent like Curtis Main could be in jeopardy unless they find funding to help maintain the progress made in their youth section.

The club have earned a healthy reputation for developing local players over recent years. Striker Main is their star pupil while winger Josh Gray has also made the breakthrough.

Main and Gray as well as fellow graduates Dan Riley and Dan Groves will be part of Colin Todd’s squad in League Two during the forthcoming season.

However, due to budget cuts, Quakers’ head of youth Craig Liddle fears for the future.

Although Darlington expect to come out of administration shortly, with Teessidebased businessman Raj Singh becoming chairman, Liddle expects his funds to be reduced.

Liddle said: “We’ve built a strong youth section and it’s something we want to continue having put so much hard work into it.

“I think we’ve got a good reputation now for giving young players a chance in the first team and when you’re speaking to a potential apprentice and his parents it helps when you’re able to mention the likes of Curtis and Josh.

“We’ve also given Dan Riley and Dan Groves professional contracts so it shows we’re doing something right.

“Hopefully we can continue what we’ve done if some sponsors come forward. Finance is needed, particularly for training equipment and transport to away games.”

Main, from South Shields, became the club’s youngest ever player, aged 15, in 2008 and in February this year also became the club’s youngest scorer.

Groves came to prominence in the final game of the season, his debut, when both he and Main combined to create Pawel Abbott’s winner at Chester.

Riley and Groves have both been given one-year contracts after starring in Quakers’ youth team that came close to winning their league last season.

They also reached the semifinals of the league cup where they lost at Tranmere after a planned overnight stay was cancelled at the last minute shortly after Darlington went into administration.

The Darlington Supporters Trust are keen to help out and Liddle is hoping local businesses will do likewise.

Liddle, who works alongside former team-mate and centre of excellence manager Neil Maddison, added: “The Trust have said they are keen to get involved, which we are grateful for, and hopefully there are other people out there who can do the same.

“We are looking at someone to sponsor the strips of the under-9s through the under- 16s as well as a sponsor for the travel.

“I know money is tight everywhere at the moment but any assistance we get would be really appreciated.”

■ If you would like to help Quakers’ youth section, phone (01325) 387010.