Source: Northern_Echo
Darlington gaining reputation for developing youth
HAVING watched two of his youth team products move to big clubs recently, Darlington boss Mark Cooper admits it is vital the club continues to produce a healthy stream of young talent.[LNB] At the end of last season, teenage defender Dan Burn earned himself a big-money move to Premier League outfit Fulham, despite only starting a handful of games for Quakers.[LNB] Striker Curtis Main then signed a contract with Championship side Middlesbrough after being released by Cooper towards the end of last season.[LNB] Fellow front man Michael Smith is now undergoing a two-week trial at Stoke City and it seems the Newcastle-born forward has impressed the club's staff after scoring in a friendly at the weekend.[LNB] Tony Pulis' first-team squad returned to Staffordshire at the beginning of the week after a pre-season trip to Austria, and Smith has since joined in training so the Potters boss can run the rule over the Quakers striker himself.[LNB] If Smith seals a move to the Britannia Stadium, it will further boost Quakers' reputation for producing young talent, something Cooper believes is down to the club's head of youth, Craig Liddle.[LNB] We've got a name now as producing young players, full credit to Craig Liddle, he's brilliant with the youth team, said Cooper, whose first team tonight play at Brackley Town.[LNB] He hands them over to us and we try to get the best out of them and at the moment we're doing it. We've got a couple more in the squad at the moment as well.[LNB] It's vital for a club at our level to produce one or two and sell them on. Everyone thinks Darlo have got a load of good young players now, which is great.[LNB] Hopefully someone will come and sponsor the youth team, because obviously being out the Football League you lose the funding.[LNB] Although keen to keep a hold of his best players, Cooper says he will not stand in the way of such an opportunity should Stoke decide they want to sign Smith, who has scored six goals in 36 appearances for the Blue Square Premier side.[LNB] Stoke are having a good look at him. I think he's done really well there, Quakers' boss added.[LNB] Hopefully for him they take him and give him an opportunity like Dan Burn got at Fulham.[LNB] They've got a development squad at Stoke, but the first team are back from Austria so he'll be training with them this week.[LNB] They've just said he's done well but no offer has come in yet, but fingers crossed for him, I've always said he's a good talent.[LNB] Some of our fans have been a bit disrespectful about him and I just hope he goes and proves them wrong.[LNB] Last season Charlton wanted him, Bristol City wanted him but that never materialised as the fee wasn't right.[LNB] People are no mugs, you're talking about big clubs, Stoke, Charlton, Bristol City, so he must be doing something right.[LNB] Quakers continue their pre-season mini tour of London tonight when they travel to St James' Park to play Zamaretto Southern Premier League opposition.[LNB] After his cameo appearance in Monday night's 1-0 win over Staines Town, Quakers boss Cooper looks set to again be on the bench.[LNB] Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Paul Arnison, Aaron Brown, Kris Taylor and Adam Quinn remain sidelined, and with Monday night's goalscorer John Campbell doubtful with a groin strain, 42-year-old Cooper could make his second appearance in three days.[LNB] * Head of youth Craig Liddle has received a tentative inquiry regarding financially backing the youth team, but is still looking for a local company to provide shirt sponsorship for this season. If you are interested email craig@darlington-fc.net[LNB]
