STOOD before a room full of proud parents, eight budding youngsters take their first steps on the long road to football stardom.

Gathered at the Williamson Motors Stadium on Monday, seven school leavers - Adam Wright, Andrew McIntosh, Michael Lawson, Shaun Reay, Nathan Wright, Wayne Clarke and Lewis Harman, plus college student Michael Tait - suited and booted, marked an occasion most teenagers can only dream of.

For the majority, youth team manager Martin Gray is brutally honest in warning the occasion is one most youngsters make the most of, given the harsh reality few ever go on to cut it as a professional footballer.

"I think it's very important that they enjoy these kind of occasions because for some it will be the only contract they sign," said Gray.

But, over the next two years, Darlington's young guns have a once in a lifetime opportunity to convince Gray and his backroom staff otherwise, and that they are good enough to make it in the professional game.

Many of Darlington's latest recruits were involved in helping Gray guide the youth team to the North-East Conference title last season - an incredible achievement, given the unnecessary neglect it suffered during the previous regime.

Under former chairman George Reynolds the youth set-up was one of many crucial areas overlooked as part of cost-cutting measures.

But, last summer, manager David Hodgson agreed to extend his stay with the club on the understanding that it was run on a professional basis, including at youth level.

And, while Hodgson went on to steer the seniors to a respectable eighth place finish last season, narrowly missing out on a play-off place, Gray went one better.

"All of these lads played in the youth team towards the back end of the season, so they already know how the club is run and how we work," said Gray.

"Hopefully, they will settle in quickly and we can get the ground work put in during pre-season. That benefited us really well last year. Everybody adapted as a group and we thoroughly deserved the success."

Last season, the majority of Gray's all-conquering youth side were rewarded with a chance to gain a higher level of experience in Neil Maddison's reserves.

And Stockton-born Gray, who made his professional debut with Sunderland at the age of 20, believes youngsters can only learn from playing alongside established professionals.

"That's what we hope for," said Gray. "Every young player aspires to make it as a professional footballer and there is no better way for them to learn than to play with those who have made it in the game.

"If our youth team is weakened by players going into the reserves, but that's development."

And, while Darlington's second string spent the majority of last season at the foot of the Pontins Holiday League, Gray insists results are not always paramount in player development.

"We can't afford to get bogged down with results," said Gray. "It's all about producing players and sending them through to the first-team.

"You learn a lot about a player when he plays in the reserves, whether or not they can cope with the pressure and whether they can cope with that level of football.

"That's what it's all about - whether or not they can make it in the professional game."

Last season saw striker Richard Logan make the graduation from youth team football when he made his first-team debut against Boston in March, while Chris Mason and Gavin Parkin have also been involved.

"It's hugely satisfying when you see players you've developed make the step up," said Gray.

"Two or three were pushed through last season, which was excellent from our perspective because it showed that we're bringing players on in the right way.

"Hopefully, that will continue and we will see more lads make the step up next season."

Read more about the Quakers here.