Youth team round up
By Ray Simpson
How our youth teams are faring
Dan Summerfield gives us a rundown of how our youth teams are faring in their leagues this season.
Please note that we've used initials in some captions because we're not allowed to use full names as per Durham FA rules
UNDER 7 BOYS QUAKERS
This has been our first year together as a group and straight away the boys have become firm friends. Watching 6-7 year olds learn the game, work hard as a unit and celebrate like nothing else matters has been amazing to see. We’ve had great victories and hard fought defeats but we’ve never given up and the boys have learned the value of effort and team spirit!
Sponsored by Taylors the Noted Pie shop
UNDER 8S BOYS FEETHAMS
This season the team were put into Division 1 in the TJFA and the team have enjoyed every minute playing some really strong sides in the top division. Win, lose or draw we march forward. The team work really hard in training and have a great bond throughout which shows on match days. We have a growing squad which we are developing week by week but will be looking at adding a couple more players going into 7 a side next season.
Sponsored by Diamond Commercial Cleaning
UNDER 9 BOYS QUAKERS
We’ve enjoyed a fantastic season so far. Individually they have shown great attitude and development. Collectively they work hard for each other and enjoy continued success in the RFYL league.
Sponsored by Burnside Carpets
UNDER 10 BOYS QUAKERS
Darlington U10’s have continued to develop well throughout the season playing some great football and remain in contention for both the league and cup. The attitude and application from the boys throughout the season has been excellent and they are a pleasure to coach.
Sponsored by Braddan Structures Ltd and Raisco Ltd
UNDER 10S GIRLS QUAKERS
The girls have had a good start to the season and have developed so much since September. In every game they have impressed all of us with their improvements and their attitude towards learning and developing. They have been an amazing team to coach and we cannot wait to see what the future brings with this team.
Sponsored by brinkburn domestics and WCM catering and electrical maintenance
UNDER 11 BOYS QUAKERS
The young Quakers play in the top division on both Saturdays and Sundays. The boys have been quality from start to this point in the season.On Saturdays they currently sit 4th in the league with 12 games to play so still all to play for. They also reached the Quarter finals in the cup which is a great achievement. On Sundays the boys are currently top of the league with only one defeat to their name. They are also in the quarter final of the cup so they are fighting hard on both fronts.
Sponsored by NC Group Ltd and Logico
UNDER 11 BOYS FEETHAMS
Both our Saturday and Sunday teams won their divisions last year and gained promotion to the top divisions of the RFYL and TJFA. This year they have really established themselves in both, gaining some amazing results along the way and even won the MFC Christmas tournament! We are really proud of how the boys have performed at the highest level.
Sponsored by Homes by Esh and The Savoury Cafe
UNDER 11S GIRLS QUAKERS
The girls have made a great start to the season in their first season together.
They have formed some great friendships and really enjoy playing together.
On the pitch they have become a great team and are improving as the weeks go by.
UNDER 12 BOYS QUAKERS
This new team playing in only our second season together in the TJFA Div 2 have developed fantastically well, with quite a number of new players recently signed to the squad we have played in some fantastic games this season with every game feeling like a cup final which has captured the imagination of other teams, coaches and parents. These amazing moments are one of the many reasons why we as coaches are involved in grassroots football.
Sponsored by Skipbridge Signs and Wardell Auto Parts Ltd
UNDER 12 BOYS FEETHAMS
There have been a lot of pleasing aspects this season. The lads have been competitive whilst still adhering to our principles of how we conduct ourselves, approach games and our style of play. Player’s continue to develop with each experience and are thoroughly enjoying what they do. We’re soon to turn our attention to our summer transition as we move to 11-a-side.
Sponsored by First Class Learning and The Cross Keys
UNDER 12S GIRLS QUAKERS
The Girls have really settled into life well in the Premier League. After a tricky start we are unbeaten in our last 6 games recording with 4 victories and 2 draws against some really good
sides. Could not be prouder of how these girls have made the step up as the jump in quality opposition is massive.
Sponsored by TAK Therapies
UNDER 12S GIRLS FEETHAMS
Darlington U12 Feethams girls had a positive start to the season, drawing with both the top two teams in the league as well as coming away with some fantastic wins. Following Christmas the flow of games has not been great due to the weather, but we are excited to get back to our winning ways and end the season strong.
Sponsored by Ryan Jones Bespoke Flooring and Imperial recruitment
UNDER 13S GIRLS QUAKERS
The girls are playing a year up and despite that new challenge they’re sitting joint top of the league with lots of football left to be played. The talent throughout the squad is fantastic to see and a number of the girls help out with Darlington FC first team bits too. There is massive potential in this group of girls and it’s great to see how bonded they are as a team.
Sponsored by Physique Health Club and Electronic Security Solutions Ltd
UNDER 13S BOYS QUAKERS
Darlington FC U13's Quakers have really put focus on technical ability and fitness for the first half of the season. The game's played so far have been a bit of a roller coaster but that is allowing the boys to have those moments and learn from them. It’s been great to see how they’ve responded to those moments. Lots of fixtures left which the boys are excited to battle in for the wins!
Sponsored by Diamond commercial cleaning and Halls heating
UNDER 14S BOYS QUAKERS
After winning 20/20 games last season in Division 1, a few of our team have joined other academies in the north east. It’s great to see our talent at Darlington FC Youth being recognised and giving this opportunity to our kids. We still have lots of fantastic players who are playing for there county but that has caused a stop start season. The boys are working hard every game and we’ll continue on this great development path.
UNDER 15S GIRLS QUAKERS
Quakers U15 girls have had a stop, start season but have managed to put together some good performances against some superb teams across the region. With a lot of teams all fighting for the top it’s going to be a really exciting and competitive end to the season and one the girls are up for the challenge of.
Sponsored by Howell Cummings Joinery
UNDER 15S GIRLS FEETHAMS
Last Year we clinched promotion into the RYFL Premier Division, this has been an exciting step for a fantastic group of girls many of which are playing a year up. With some exciting new additions over Summer the girls have gelled really quickly and they’re all coming on brilliantly. The future is looking really bright for this U15s girls team.
Sponsored by Skipbridge signs and McCarthy Walker (Brickwork) Ltd
UNDER 18S BOYS QUAKERS
The boys did absolutely remarkable to win the County Cup Final last year, a superbly impressive victory for a youthful team. The boys are into the County Cup final again this year and are hoping to retain the trophy. With four league games remaining it’s also mathematically possible to win the league. It’s a fantastic group of guys who have and will continue to develop on their football journey.