Campbell aims to keep Quakers on the FA Trophy trail

05 February 2011 11:22
DARLINGTON boss Mark Cooper admits he is excited by new striker John Campbell and believes that signing the former Newcastle Benfield forward could be a real coup for the Blue Square Bet Premier side.[LNB] Campbell made his debut in Tuesday's defeat at Luton Town and despite the 4-0 scoreline, Cooper singled out the 22-year-old as Quakers' best player.[LNB] The striker completed his move from Benfield on transfer deadline day, signing an 18- month contract at The Northern Echo Arena.[LNB] Campbell was Benfield's top scorer with 25 goals before making his move to Quakers, and was second top in the Northern League first division.[LNB] Before moving to Benfield, Campbell had a spell as a YTS at Manchester City and his form in the first half of this season had attracted interest from League One clubs.[LNB] Cooper was disappointed with his side's performance at Kenilworth Road, but was impressed by his new acquisition, who could make his second start for Quakers in the FA Trophy third round game at AFC Telford today.[LNB] We weren't good enough against Luton, said the Quakers boss.[LNB] Our so-called better players didn't perform and I think they know that but we're not going to get too negative about it.[LNB] We've taken the positives out of it, which was the young boy up front making his debut. He looks as though he could be a prospect.[LNB] We've been watching him for quite a while and, like I've said before, it has been difficult to attract players up this far, so we had to look closer to home.[LNB] John came on the radar but we thought he was going to Swindon, Scunthorpe or Leyton Orient. We were just biding our time hoping something didn't happen and we managed to get him.[LNB] We're quite excited by him because he has all the attributes to become a good centre forward.[LNB] He can get hold of the ball, he can score goals, he's quick enough, big enough so put all that into the mix and you could end up with a good player as long as we can school him properly and get him fit.[LNB] Campbell has become the second striker in recent times to leave Benfield for the Conference following Richard Brodie's move to York City.[LNB] Benfield manager Paul Baker said: It is a great opportunity for John and lifts the profile of the club.[LNB] It proves we are doing something right, improving players and giving them the chance to move on to a higher level.[LNB] Richard Brodie left us for York City and now John has the chance to make a name for himself.[LNB] Quakers are one of only five Conference sides left in the Trophy and are just three stages away from a Wembley final, but Cooper isn't expecting an easy ride today.[LNB] Telford, managed by former QPR and England winger Andy Sinton, are fourth in the Blue Square North and just four points off first place.[LNB] The club have only lost twice in the league this season, and Cooper said: They're doing well in their league. They've got good vocal support, a lovely stadium and a nice pitch, so hopefully we can go and play well there.[LNB] We watched them before and we also had them watched against Workington on Tuesday night.[LNB] Hopefully it'll be a good game. We'll go and attack and keep our shape and try to score some goals.[LNB] The pitch will be perfect, there will be no excuses about that.[LNB] Telford are a decent sized club so they'll be expecting to get through to the quarter-finals.[LNB] Not many of our lads have had the chance of playing at Wembley but it's a fantastic opportunity to go to the best stadium in the world in front of a lot of people. There are only four or five major trophies in this country and this is one of them.[LNB] I think maybe some people haven't taken it quite so seriously but once you get to this stage you have to try to get through to the final, because it can be a big money-spinner, and that's certainly what we want to do.[LNB] With Adam Quinn and Greg Taylor cup-tied, Cooper must make at least two changes, so a second start of the season for young defender Dan Burn is likely.[LNB] Gary Smith will return after missing Tuesday's game due to a knee injury.[LNB] If today's game ends in a draw the replay will be on Tuesday, February 8, at The Northern Echo Arena, tickets £10 and £5 concessions.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo