Darlington manager Tommy Wright says that the club’s academy and reserve teams are “vital” for the club’s progress.

The club runs youth teams all the way through from under 6 to Under 19 level and a reserve team that participates in the Wearside League, and Tommy wants to give suitable talent every chance.

Tommy had a big say in the academy at his previous club Nuneaton, and he says; “An academy is vital if we’re going to compete at National League North.

“It’s really important to have a conveyor belt of talent coming through from the youth teams to the reserve team and then to the first team. I want to give lads who are 16/17/18 years of age a chance to show what they can do. I’ve already spoken with the youth team and reserve team coaches, and asked them to keep me informed on the progress of promising youngsters.

“During my previous playing spells at the club, there were players like Dale Hopson, Michael Smith, Curtis Main, Josh Gray, Dan Burn, who all came through the youth and reserve teams, and played in the first team. They were all given the opportunity to progress, and I want to do the same with our young talent.

“If I think I see something, then I tend to go with my instinct. During my times at Corby and Nuneaton, I gave 26 debuts to under 18s.”