Local Hero David Bogg was in the dug-out at Darlington FC yesterday as he took another step on the football management ladder - aged just 14. The Northern Echo reports.

Winning The Northern Echo's Local Heroes competition is hard to top, but teenager David Bogg might just have managed it after his pep talk helped to propel Darlington to another victory.

The inspirational 14-year-old was invited by Darlington manager David Hodgson to join him at the Williamson Motors Stadium for yesterday's game against Macclesfield Town, after winning the competition which celebrates the stars of the region's grassroots sports scene.

The youngster went into football management to help overcome the blow of being unable to take part in school PE lessons following surgery on his foot.

He proved a huge success, helping his teacher, Dave Tucker, guide Branksome School's football team to a cup final win in a story that touched hearts across the region. That success earned him a promotion to become overall manager of the team.

Yesterday, with the pressure on Darlington to achieve another victory to keep them at the top end of League Two, David was given the chance to pass on words of inspiration to the players in the dressing room before the game.

It worked - because the Quakers eventually ran out 3-1 winners, a result that elevated them to sixth in the table.

David, from Darlington, said: "I told the players that their recent win against Scunthorpe was fantastic because Scunthorpe are flying high in the table, so it was credit to the team.

"But I said we couldn't afford to slip up against Macclesfield, we had to keep the momentum going," he said.

He added: "It has been absolutely fantastic today, I hope I get the chance to do it again.

"I knew I was going to enjoy it, but it was much better than I expected it to be. I think my parents and friends will be very proud of me."

Quakers manager Hodgson said: "David joined us through the team talk and selecting the substitutes and, on top of that, we let him give a speech before the game.

"I wanted the players to listen to what he had to say and what he said was right - that they were above us at the start, but by the time we'd beaten them, they'd be looking up at us.

"At the end of the game, he gave another little speech and the lads gave him a standing ovation."