MIDDLESBROUGH’S long-serving academy director, Dave Parnaby, has announced his intention to retire from his position at the head of the club’s youth set-up.

Parnaby has presided over Boro’s academy since its formation in 1998, and has played a pivotal role in the development of more than 50 players who have gone on to play for the club’s senior side.

In total, Parnaby has worked with more than 100 youngsters who have progressed to play professionally in one of England’s top four leagues, and his role in shaping Boro’s development over the last two decades has been considerable.

He was the driving force behind the academy at Rockliffe Park being recognised as one of the most progressive and successful in the country, with the likes of Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Chris Brunt and James Morrison all going on to play at senior international level.

The timing of Parnaby’s departure is still to be confirmed, with Boro chief executive Neil Bausor now set to begin the process of identifying his successor.

“I class myself as a very lucky person to have been associated with Middlesbrough Football Club for the past 19 years,” said Parnaby, whose son, Stuart, made more than 140 senior appearances during two spells in a Boro shirt. “I feel an enormous sense of pride and hope I have served the club well.

“I have been blessed with a wonderful family, an unbelievably supportive wife and three gorgeous grandchildren, and I feel I need and want to give more time to them in the years ahead.

“It is the right time for me to retire, and the right time for the club to move forward in youth development terms.

“The decision to retire is purely for personal reasons. I have discussed everything with my family, and I’m comfortable with the decision we have come to.”

Parnaby was a talented youth player who was turned down when he attempted to secure a playing contract with Middlesbrough.

He played, coached and managed in the Conference for Gateshead, and taught PE for 22 years before moving into middle management.

At the same time, he completed his ‘A’ license and took on a role coaching with English schools. He declined an opportunity to join the Football Association full-time, and also turned down possible roles with Sunderland and Newcastle before he was persuaded to move into an academy management role with Middlesbrough.

His work laid the foundations for Boro’s FA Youth Cup win in 2004, and one of his proudest days came two years later as Steve McClaren selected a side for a Premier League game at Fulham that contained ten academy products in the starting line-up, with a further five on the substitutes’ bench.

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Middlesbrough's 17 England internationals, pictured in 2006

Boro’s academy continues to produce talented youngsters capable of forcing their way into the first team, with Ben Gibson flying the flag for the most recent generation of Rockliffe Park graduates.

“I can speak on behalf of everyone connected with Middlesbrough, both past and present, in thanking Dave for all his hard work and amazing dedication to his job over the years,” said Bausor.

“He has been a central figure in the development of the club’s academy, and deserves so much credit for its reputation and for the progress made by many of the young players who have passed through our doors.

“When the time comes for Dave to leave us, he will depart with our very best wishes for the future, and he will always be welcome at Middlesbrough FC.”