Darlington Youth FC is setting up an under 8s team as part of its strategy to achieve Centre of Excellence status.

The team will play its first game on Saturday November 14th and youth chairman Lee Nicholson wants more players to come along.

“We’ve managed to find a coach, Adam Wiltshire, to look after the team. We’ve had quite a bit of interest, and we’ll welcome more players.

“Games are five-a-side, and take place on a small sided pitch, with 20 minutes each way.”

The development of an under 8s team is part of a three year plan for Darlington Youth FC to achieve Centre of Excellence status, a standard that is held by other north east clubs, such as Hartlepool.

“Just like the first team, we want to kick on and reach the next level, and return to the Centre of Excellence status we once had,” Lee says. “We want to be at that level within three seasons, and one of the requirements is to have a team in every age group, from Under 6s all the way through to Under 18s. So in theory, a five year old could join the club, and play at every level right up to the first team as he gets older.”

Any parent who thinks that their under 8 child would like to play for Darlo Youth FC Under 8s, please ring Lee on 07950 471331 or e mail him on leedyfc@gmail.com.